At this week ‘Cabinet Meeting’ ( Tuesday, Nov. 23rd. 2021) the government of Belize ‘John Briceno Administration’ announced that the labor department has been tasked with developing a plan to gradually increase the ‘Minimum Wage’ from $3.30bz. to $5.00bz.
Increasing the minimum wage was a promise of the PUP in the 2020 manifesto before the election and also the campaign slogan of ‘PLAN BELIZE’
Below is a comparison list of ‘Minimum Wages’ in the region and CARICOM countries.
| Country | Local $/hr | $USD/hr | Note |
| Bahamas | $5.25Bd | =$5.25usd/hr | Jan. 2017 |
| Barbados | $8.50Bd | =$4.25US | April 2021 |
| Belize | $5.00Bz | =$2.50US/hr | 2023 |
| Guyana | G$350/hr. | =$1.65usd/hr | 2023 |
| Haiti | rarely enforced | <$1usd/hr | less than $1/hr |
| Jamaica | $7k-$9k/wk | =$60usd/wk | Jan.2023 |
| Trinidad | TT$17.50 | =$2.60usd/hr | Jan 2023 |
| Guatemala | 10.60-11.60/hr | =$1.50usd/hr | 2021 ^see note |
| Honduras | $37 Lempira | =$1.55uds/hr | 2021 |
| Mexico | $141mx-peso | =$7.10usd/hr | 2021 *see note |
| El Salvador | $1.50usd/hr | 2021 *see note |
Not all countries have an hourly minimum wage, some have daily minimum wage, and some countries have different minimum wages that are based on the job sector. Additionally, Similar to the United States, where the Federal minimum wage is $7.25usd/hr. – Some cities in northern Mexico have a higher minimum wage than some southern states in Mexico.
Another example is El Salvador, where there are 4 different minimum wages ; two for the city and two for the countryside or rural areas. In certain areas Agriculture, and coffee or cotton workers are paid $8.00usd/day.
The minimum wage in a country or state is directly correlated with the ‘Standard of Living’; NOTE: The minimum wage in Belize has not changed in more than 10 years.
Written & Compiled by: channel1Belize.com / digitalBelize,LIVE Staff writer – Thursday, November 25th. 2021 – digitalbelize@gmail.com