by Khaila Gentle
BELIZE CITY, Mon. Oct. 3, 2022
During his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño announced that, come January 2023, the minimum wage will be increased from the current $3.50 to $5 per hour. As a part of the process leading up to the long-awaited date, the government has planned numerous consultations with members of the public. Those consultations, spearheaded by the Minimum Wage Task Force, began last week.
According to the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour, and Local Government, the purpose of the consultations is to discuss the impact of the increase for unskilled workers and those engaged in elementary occupations, interventions required to ensure compliance, and a potential formula for gradual increase in specific sectors and future wage adjustments.
The Belize City town hall took place on Wednesday. Reports are, however, that the turnout to that consultation left much to be desired, with only a total of nine persons in attendance. Last week, Marcello Blake, the president of the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told News5 that the low turnout was likely due to inclement weather.
The next town hall meeting is scheduled to take place today, October 3, in Dangriga Town. There will also be meetings held on October 4 in Placencia, October 5 in Independence Village, and October 6 in Punta Gorda Town.