And in other news, you may be getting that long awaited five dollar minimum wage soon - more than a year after the PUP promised it. But they've made headway with a minimum wage task force. According to a press release, the task force conducted its inaugural meeting today in Belmopan.
The current minimum wage is $3.30 per hours and it was phased in over a five year period between 2007 and 2012 with the last raise taking effect on May 8th, 2012. The task force will now develop a plan to institute the government's commitment to a five-dollar minimum wage.
The release continues, quote, "The government recognizes that any increase to the present minimum wage would have implications for various sectors. As a result, the phased minimum wage increases must be linked to productivity growth and Belize's competitiveness. With stakeholder input, careful consideration will be given to the impact of these increases on the various sectors of the economy in the short-, medium- and long-term." End quote.
Cindy Thompson, representing the University of Belize, chairs the task force. The other members are: Daniel Gutierez, Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Carlesha Francisco, National Bank of Belize, Fayne Nicasio, Ministry of Economic Development, Luis Luke Martinez, National Trade Union Congress of Belize, Candice Soutar, Central Bank of Belize, Anne Marie Thompson, Ministry of Labour.
