Belize is a Caribbean nation in Central America, known for the Belize Barrier Reef and the Great Blue Hole. It has a small service-based economy, with a GDP of 3.52 billion US dollars (2024) and a workforce of 183,368 people (2025).

With lower labor costs compared with other Caribbean countries, Belize is becoming an attractive country for abroad expansion. English is the primary language, plus there are good trade links with other CARICOM countries and proximity to the US. Sectors such as tourism and services are highly developed in Belize, providing an existing infrastructure and regulatory framework that can provide easy access for companies wishing to enter these markets.

This help guide aims to inform companies considering employing in Belize with a full list of mandatory employee benefits that workers are entitled to, along with a comprehensive overview of Belize labor laws, including primary legal frameworks that must be followed. We’ll also explain how Remote People can provide support to countries hiring in Belize with Employer of Record.

Belize Labor Law

The Labour Act is Belize’s main legal framework, which provides details on the rights and obligations of employers and employees in Belize. It explains rules on employment relationships, notice periods, terminations, and salaries, and generally ensures a fair working relationship between companies and workers.

Other relevant acts that provide further information on labor laws in Belize include:

  • Social Security Act (Chapter 55)
  • Holiday Acts (Chapter 289)
  • Employment Amendment Act (Maternity Leave Extension and Paternity Leave) of 2020

When employing workers in Belize, it’s crucial to consult legal experts for detailed compliance. This helps to ensure that employment practices strictly comply with the latest legislation set by local labor laws and simplify the process of hiring in Belize.

Mandatory Employee Benefits in Belize

We’ve included below the mandatory employee benefits that workers in Belize are entitled to. Employers must provide these benefits to employees to ensure strict adherence to local labor laws.

Social Security Contributions

The Social Security Board of Belize manages social security contributions, ensuring that workers and citizens receive financial support in the event of retirement, sickness, maternity, work injury, and unemployment.

The rates of social security in Belize are as follows:

CategoryContribution
EmployeesWeekly contributions of between B$0.88 – B$15.60, depending on income
Self-Employed Workers7% of weekly declared income
EmployersWeekly contributions of between B$3.80 – B$15.68, depending on gross payroll

Annual Leave

Employees in Belize are entitled to 2 weeks of annual leave once they have completed 1 year of continuous service. Employers can decide when annual leave can be taken, as stated in the Labour Act. Annual leave is not generally allowed to be carried over, unless leave cannot be taken due to sickness or failure on the employer’s part to issue annual leave.

Working Hours

Normal working hours in Belize are 45 hours per week, usually carried out over 5 9-hour working days. Employees must receive at least 1 rest day of 24 continuous hours for every 7 days.

Overtime Pay

Hours worked over the typical 45 work week are generally considered overtime and must be paid accordingly.

Overtime hours must be paid at a rate of 1.5 times an employee’s normal rate. Rates may incur an additional increase if overtime hours are worked on rest days or public holidays.

It is not normally considered a legal obligation or requirement for employees working in Belize. There are also no explicit legal limits that are mentioned in the Belize labor law regarding overtime.

​​Public Holiday Leave

Public holidays in Belize are considered to be paid days off for workers if they fall on a working day.

The public holidays in Belize are as follows:

  • January 1: New Year’s Day
  • January 15: George Price Day
  • March 9: National Heroes and Benefactors Day
  • April 3 (Date varies): Good Friday
  • April 4 (Date varies): Holy Saturday
  • April 6 (Date varies): Easter Monday
  • May 1: Labor Day
  • August 1: Emancipation Day
  • September 10: St. George’s Caye Day
  • September 21: Independence Day
  • October 12: El Día de la Raza
  • November 19: Garifuna Settlement Day
  • December 25: Christmas Day
  • December 26: Boxing Day

Sick Leave

Employees in Belize are entitled to 16 days of sick leave per 12-month period, which is usually permitted once an employee has worked for 60 days continuously for the same employer. A medical certificate must be provided for long-term absences, and employers usually pay for the first 16 days of sick leave. The Social Security Board is responsible for covering a percentage of earnings after this period.

Maternity Leave

Female workers are entitled to a minimum of 14 weeks of maternity leave at their full rate of pay. This is usually split as 7 weeks before birth and 7 weeks postpartum.

Employees’ jobs must be protected while workers are pregnant and on maternity leave. Some employers may offer their workers additional maternity leave, alongside benefits such as nursing breaks, childcare benefits, and extended leave.

Workers usually accrue annual leave while on maternity leave, which is usually permitted to be carried over to the following calendar year as necessary.

Paternity Leave

There is no statutory right to paternity leave for male employees in Belize. Some employers offer paternity leave as a supplementary benefit, which usually consists of around 5 days of paid leave.

Severance Pay

Employees who have been employed for a minimum of 5 years are eligible for severance pay if they are dismissed from their roles without fault.

Years of ServiceSeverance Pay
Between 5 – 10 years1 week’s pay per completed year of service
Over 10 years2 weeks’ pay per completed year of service

Employers must adhere to strict notice periods based on length of service, which can range from 1 week to 8 weeks, depending on employee experience.

Pensions

The pension system in Belize is split into the following systems:

  • Old-Age Pension: Includes both non-contributory and contributory schemes for workers and impoverished seniors
  • Occupational Private Pensions: Contributory schemes regulated under the separate Private Pensions Act of 2017, provide additional income for workers upon reaching retirement age

Supplementary Employee Benefits in Belize

Employers are encouraged to offer their employees supplementary benefits beyond statutory minimums to retain employees for longer time periods and to attract new candidates to job roles.

Some examples of popular supplementary employee benefits in Belize include:

  • Health/dental insurance
  • Transportation allowances
  • Performance bonuses
  • Advanced training programs
  • Housing or food expenses
  • Additional paid leave

Optimize Employee Benefits with Remote People

Remote People helps companies hire employees in Belize through our comprehensive Employer of Record (EOR) services.

We act as the legal employer on your behalf, ensuring strict compliance with Belizean labor laws and guaranteeing that employees receive all mandatory benefits. Our team manages payroll, tax obligations, and HR administration, giving your business the freedom to focus on growth while we handle the complexities of local employment.

Other services we can offer to support you when doing business in Belize include recruiting employees, where we can help you advertise positions for employees and contractors, draft employment contracts, and carry out executive searches for the best talent for your business. We can also assist with PEO Services and Work Visas to help streamline work permit processing.

Contact Remote People to see how we can help your business expand into Belize, ensuring full compliance with local labor laws.