Belize is the only country in Central Americawith English as its official language.
Payroll and Benefits Guide - Belize
Fun Facts
The Great Blue Hole, amassive underwater sinkhole, is a popular diving site in Belize.
Belize is known for its laid-back and welcoming atmosphere, often referred to as the “island life.”
Belize is home to the second-largest barrier reef in the world.
U.S. dollars are also accepted throughout the country.
Belize is known for itsdiverse wildlife.
Contributions
Employee Payroll Tax
| Total Employee Cost | 1.88% to 4.50% |
Employer Payroll Tax
| Total Employment Cost | 5.50% to 8.13% |
Payroll
Payroll Cycle
Employees can be paid on a weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly basis.
13th Salary
13th-month payments are not required or customary in Belize.
Work Hours and Week
All employees are entitled to at least one day of rest each week, and the standard workweek consists of a maximum of 45 hours of work, or nine hours per day.
Overtime
Any time worked over 9 hours is considered overtime, and it is typically paid at a rate of 150.00% of the regular wage.
Leave
Paid Time Off
Each year, employees are entitled to two working weeks of paid time off. Normally, employees take these two weeks back-to-back; however, if this is not possible, the employer and employee must agree to divide the leave into two separate leave periods.
Public Holidays
Belize has 13 official holidays.
Sick Days
An employee is entitled to 16 days of paid sick leave at their base pay after working for the company for at least 60 days in the previous 12 months.
Maternity Leave
Based on specific eligibility requirements, pregnant employees are entitled to maternity leave and payments. There is a 14-week maximum for maternity leave.
Paternity Leave
There is no legal requirement for paternity leave.
Parental Leave
There is no legal requirement for parental leave.
Termination
Termination Process
If an employer can demonstrate sufficient grounds for dismissal without notice, the termination process will proceed according to Belize’s standard procedure.
Notice Period
The amount of notice an employee must give depends on how long they have been employed. One to eight weeks’ notice is permissible.
Severance Pay
The amount of severance pay is determined by the employee’s length of service with each employer.
Probation Period
Probation Period
The first two weeks of employment constitute the probationary period.
Immigration
Any foreigner wishing to work in Belize must first obtain a work permit. The issuance of work permits for three months to a year is subject to approval by the Ministry of Labor.
VAT
Belize does not have a VAT, but the standard GST rate is 12.50%.