Find your employer of record in Belize

Contractor Management Services companies can process a work permit for foreigners who want to work in Belize. In addition, the Ministry of Labor is in charge of approving the said permits from 3 to 12 months. Also, the rates depending on the skill level of the person can be between 100 BZD and 600 BZD.

In the same way, after completing the form, the applicant must submit the following documents:

• 3 passport-size photos with the signature of the applicant on the back.
• A letter notifying the nature of the job application from the mayor of San Pedro.
• Likewise, the same type of letter from the Belize tourism board.
• Proof of residence of at least 6 months in Belize.
• If it is an employer who requests the permit for a future employee, you must request an interview. In this case, you will need to prove that a Belizean citizen cannot fill the position you want to fill.

In this case, an Employer of record in Belize can help you apply with the Ministry of Labor which can approve or deny your application.

Although in Belize there is no VAT, there is a standard rate of 12.50% of GST.

Termination Process

With a Professional Employer Organization, you can fully understand the termination process in the country, which requires a notice period. However, the employer does not require a notice period when the cause of dismissal is justified. Thus, these causes may be misconduct, negligence, disobedience, or unexcused absences.

Notice Period

This notice period depends on the time worked by the employee as follows:

• For a service period between 2 weeks and 6 months, the notice is 1 week.
• Likewise, for a service period between 6 months and 1 year, the notice is 2 weeks.
• For between 2 and 5 years the notice period will be 4 weeks.
• Finally, for more than 5 years of service, the notice will be 8 weeks.

Severance Pay

If you want to properly calculate severance pay you must work with an Employer of record in Belize. In this case, the calculation is based on the continuous employment of the worker with the same employer. Therefore, the said calculation will be made as follows.

From 5 to 10 years:

• Employer terminates employment.
• The employee retires at age 60, after this time or for medical reasons.

Thus, the worker must receive compensation for 1 week of work for each full year of work.

More than 10 years:

• The employer terminated the contract for reasons that do not amount to dismissal.
• The worker retires due to turning 60 or older or for medical reasons.
• The worker leaves the company for a justified reason.
• A worker who resigns has the right to severance pay.
• Termination of the contract due to expiration for a definite-term contract.

Therefore, the worker will receive compensation of 2 weeks of wages for each year of work completed. In addition, with the PEO services, you will be able to make the change according to the calculations in the labor legislation. Thus, employees who have worked continuously for more than 10 years will receive compensation as follows:

• If the service is before May 1, 2011, the employee will receive a salary of one week for each year of service.
• For the period after May 1, 2011, you will receive 2 weeks of pay for each year of service.

On the other hand, casual workers have to have worked for 180 days in 1 year to receive severance pay.

Probation Period

In all jobs, the trial period consists of the first 2 weeks.

Paid Time Offs

The Employer of record in Belize allows the calculation of vacations that consist of 2 weeks. In addition, employees can form these vacations consecutively, or divide them in agreement with the employer. Also, when the worker uses his vacation, the employer must pay the salary 1 day before.

However, if the worker takes his vacation divided, the employer will make the payment in 2 parts. In the same way, the employer must follow the rule of payment one day before the start of the vacation.

Public Holidays

There are 13 national holidays throughout the year.

Vacation Holidays

There are 14 vacation holidays throughout the year.

Sick Days

Employees in Belize are entitled to receive 16 days of paid sick leave. However, you must have completed a minimum of 60 days of work in the last year. In addition, the employee will have to submit a medical certificate within 48 hours of the onset of the illness.

In this case, the employer pays the first 16 days with the Social Security Board (SSB). Then, after 16 days, the SSB will make the payment under the Social Security Law and the Labor Law (article 131).