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Written Agreements

An employment contract is required to be concluded in writing:

• When the agreement is made for a period exceeding 3 months
• When the contract is made in Belize and is to be executed partially or wholly outside Belize
• When the contract stipulates conditions of employment that are significantly different from the usual terms of employment for similar work

Details of a written contract must include the identity of parties, duration of notice, remuneration, hours, etc. A labor officer must attest to the agreement within 7 days of signing.

Oral Agreements

Oral contracts are binding only if the employment begins within 1 month from the contract date and can be made for a definite or indefinite period.

Implied Agreements

Employers are liable to provide work to employees for the days for which an implied contract is formed. If they fail to do so, they must still pay their employees. Belize has a strong legal doctrine for interpreting implied terms and contracts. The actions or omissions of a party to an agreement are enough to establish that a contract exists.

The standard workweek is 45 hours (or 9 hours daily). Work done in excess of these hours is considered overtime.

Belize has telecommuting policies for their public sector employees but has yet to promulgate any legislation applicable to the telecommuting of private sector employees.

• New Year’s Day - January 1
• Baron Bliss Day - March 9
• Good Friday and the day after - dates subject to change every year
• Easter Monday – date subject to change every year
• Labor Day - May 1
• Sovereign’s Day - May 24
• St. George’s Caye Day - September 10
• Independence Day - September 21
• Columbus Day - October 12
• Garifuna Settlement Day - November 19
• Christmas Day - December 25
• Day after Christmas - December 26

Employment contracts can contain provisions for a probationary period of 2 weeks up to 6 months. The employer and employee may agree to a longer probationary period not exceeding 6 months.

Notice Period

The Belizean Labor Act states that employment contracts can be terminated by either party with the following notice periods, depending on the duration of service:

• If the employee has worked for more than 2 weeks but less than 6 months - 1 week
• If the employee has worked for more than 6 months but less than 2 years - 2 weeks
• If the employee has worked for more than 2 years but less than 5 years - 4 weeks
• If the employee has worked for more than 5 years - 8 weeks

There are exceptions to the notice period requirements and employers can provide pay in place of notice instead of observing the notice period.

Severance Benefits

In Belize, where an employee who has been continuously employed by any employer for a period of:

• 5 to 10 years, and
  • Their employment is terminated by the employer, or
  • They retire on or after attaining the age of 60 years or
  • They retire on medical grounds,
• That employee shall be paid a severance pay of 1 week’s wages with respect to each completed year of service

If an employee has been continuously employed for over 10 years and their employment is:

• Terminated by the employer for reasons, which do not amount to dismissal, or
• Ended because the employee retires on or after attaining the age of 60 years or on medical grounds, or
• The employee abandons the service of an employer for a good and sufficient cause, or
• The employee who resigns after a minimum of 10 years is eligible for a gratuity equal to severance pay, or
• The employee is terminated on the expiration of a contract for a definite period.

That employee shall be paid a severance pay of 2 weeks’ wages for each complete year of service.

Minimum Wage

The minimum wage is currently at BZD 5 (Belize dollars) per hour for all employees.

Salary must be paid at regular intervals, not less than:

• Once a week in the case of employees whose wages are fixed by the hour, day, or week
• Once a fortnight in the case of employees whose wages are calculated solely on a piecework or output basis
• Once a month in the case of employees whose wages are fixed on a monthly or annual basis

Overtime, Holiday & Vacation Pay

Employees are entitled to overtime payment equal at least 1.5 times the regular pay for working over 9 hours in a day (45 hours in a week), overtime hours worked on holidays, Sundays, and weekly rest days. For work done on Christmas, Good Friday, or Easter, the payment is at least 2 times the regular pay.

Visas

Belize has the following visa categories:

• Business and visitor visa
• Transit visa
• Temporary employment visa
• Student visa
• Dependent’s visa
• Digital Nomad Visa

The immigration laws of Belize require persons who wish to enter the country to possess a valid passport and visa. Foreign nationals must also have proof of a return journey or onward journey. Nationals of many countries do not require an entry visa for Belize, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, among many others.

Work Permits

Foreign nationals who wish to work in Belize are required to obtain a temporary employment permit. Employees must provide proof of employment in Belize and have a voucher issued by the Minister of Labor, which allows them to stay in Belize for the duration specified in the permit.

Foreign nationals may also be admitted on a permanent basis for employment by providing, among other documents, proof of employement in Belize.