As we've been showing you all this week, Prime Minister Briceno and the Government of Belize have been very busy hosting their counterparts from the other CARICOM Nations.
That left little time for the members of the Briceno Administration to hold the weekly Cabinet meeting. So, all that government debriefing for the week happened today at the House of Culture, and when the meeting was finished, Prime Minister Briceno declined a press encounter after explaining that he had another important engagement to urgently reach.
But, we did get a chance to speak with Oscar Requena, the Minister of Labour and Local Government, and we asked about the minimum wage task force. 2 days ago, the GOB announced publicly that a group has been assembled to explore the feasibility of raising the minimum wages to 5 dollars an hour. You'll remember that this was yet another of those election promises that made up the ruling party's Plan Belize manifesto.
Right now, the minimum wage is 3 dollars and 30 cents per hour, and it was phased in over a 5-year period between 2007 and 2012. Ten years later, the existing minimum wage for unskilled workers and laborers engaged in elementary occupations is finally being reassessed.
Here's what Requena had to say about the government's commitment to delivering on that 5-dollar and hour minimum wage:
Hon. Oscar Requena - Minister of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Local Government & Labour
"The Taskforce was established, and there are clear terms of reference for the Taskforce. Yes, we're looking at a phased-in approach because, as you are aware, this matter requires extensive consultation and engagement from the various stakeholders. We're going to engage a consultant. The consultancy obviously has to involve the various stakeholders. We will have to meet with different interested parties. And I think, really, that the time has come where our stakeholders understand that the cost of living has gone up, that there is an urgent need to address the minimum wage. As it is right now, the law allows for 3 dollars and 30 cents, and realistically speaking, our people cannot survive on 3 dollars and 30 cents an hour. So, it has to be addressed. I also want to say to you, as you're fully aware, that there are some sectors that are well beyond the 5 dollars, the tourism sector, the construction sectors, employees are getting well above that. But, there are certain areas that, such shop assistants, domestic [workers], and manual laborers who certainly well below the 5 dollars, and we are particularly concerned about that category of persons. What we are looking at is really equitable distribution of wealth to ensure that our people get an opportunity at improving their lives."
Daniel Ortiz
"How serious are you all in implementing that? It has been something that the Opposition Party and members of the Opposition have criticized this administration for yet another election promise that hasn't been fulfilled."
Hon. Oscar Requena
"I will say to you that we are very committed. The very fact that we have now established the Taskforce, and that we have gotten the work going is testament to our commitment to getting this going. There is no doubt about that."
Marisol Amaya - Krem News
"So, by the time you leave - well I know you don't want to leave office, but by the time your term ends — let's put it that way, you'd expect that it would be in place, already at the 5 [dollar] increase?"
Hon. Oscar Requena
"Well, before that, Marisol, well before that, the Taskforce has a time frame of about 9 months to complete its work, and then, that report is going to be delivered to Cabinet. I'm certain that Cabinet is going to look at the recommendations and make its deliberations, and we move towards implementation."
As we reported, the Taskforce is made up of 7 members. Cindy Thompson from the University of Belize is chairing the task force. The other members are Daniel Gutierez from Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Carlesha Francisco of the National Bank of Belize; Fayne Nicasio from the Ministry of Economic Development; Luis Luke Martinez of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize; Candice Soutar from the Central Bank of Belize; and Anne Marie Thompson from the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour and Local Government.
