Employment in Belize is governed mainly by the Labour Act (Chapter 297), with contributions to the Social Security Board and income tax administered by the Belize Tax Service. Here is what employers need to know about leave, pay, tax and ending employment.
The Labour Act sets the statutory minimums below. Employment contracts and collective agreements can offer more, but never less.
At least 2 working weeks with pay at the end of each year of employment. It should be taken within 6 months of falling due, in one block or, by agreement, in two.
Up to 16 working days in any 12 months for workers with at least 60 days’ service in the previous year. The employer can ask for a medical certificate.
On full pay for women employed by the same employer for at least 150 days in the previous 12 months; unpaid otherwise.
Maternity leave can start up to 7 weeks before the expected date of birth; 2 weeks before and 7 weeks after the expected date are compulsory. Applications should be made at least 10 weeks before the expected date with a medical certificate. Where the employee also qualifies for maternity benefit from the Social Security Board, she receives that benefit and the employer pays any difference up to full pay. Belize has no statutory paternity leave; some employers offer a few days as a contractual benefit.
Set up annual holiday, sick leave and maternity leave in IceHrm with their own accrual, carry forward and approval rules, including pro-rata entitlements for part-year staff. Employees see their live balance before they apply, and managers see who is away on a shared calendar. Leave management →
Minimum wages are set by wages regulation orders under the Labour Act. The current rate applies to all categories of workers.
In force since 1 January 2023. In September 2026 the government announced a planned rise to BZ$6.00, with no effective date yet confirmed.
No more than 9 hours of actual work a day or 6 days a week without overtime pay.
For hours beyond 9 a day or 45 a week, and for work on a Sunday or agreed rest day.
Work on Christmas Day, Good Friday and Easter Monday is paid at no less than double the ordinary rate, and work on other public holidays at no less than one and a half times. Monthly and weekly paid workers must not lose pay for a public holiday. Managers, supervisors and staff in confidential roles are excluded from the hours and overtime rules.
Capture attendance and overtime in IceHrm and feed the hours straight into payroll, so daily, weekly, rest day and public holiday overtime reflects what was actually worked. Time & attendance →
Employment income is taxed at a single rate of 25% on chargeable income after personal relief. Employers deduct income tax from each pay (PAYE) and pay it over to the Belize Tax Service.
| Annual employment income | Rate | How tax is worked out |
|---|---|---|
| BZ$29,000 or less | 0% | Fully exempt |
| BZ$29,000.01 – BZ$32,000 | 25% | 25% of income above the BZ$20,000 personal relief, reduced by a tax credit so that net income does not fall below BZ$29,000 |
| Over BZ$32,000 | 25% | 25% of income above the BZ$20,000 personal relief |
Before 2025 the exemption threshold was BZ$26,000, with a sliding scale of personal reliefs. Payroll set up under the old rules should be updated.
Employers and employees contribute to the Social Security Board (SSB), which pays sickness, maternity, employment injury, invalidity, retirement and survivors’ benefits. Contributions are a fixed amount for each week worked, set by the employee’s weekly wage band.
Of weekly insurable earnings, split between employer and employee. The employer’s share is always the larger one.
Earnings of BZ$500 a week or more are insured at BZ$520, giving a maximum weekly contribution of BZ$52.
Contributions and the monthly contribution statement are due by the 14th of the month after the work was done.
| Weekly earnings | Insurable earnings | Employee | Employer | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under BZ$70 | BZ$55 | BZ$1.03 | BZ$4.47 | BZ$5.50 |
| BZ$180 – BZ$219.99 | BZ$200 | BZ$5.94 | BZ$14.06 | BZ$20.00 |
| BZ$300 – BZ$339.99 | BZ$320 | BZ$11.94 | BZ$20.06 | BZ$32.00 |
| BZ$420 – BZ$459.99 | BZ$440 | BZ$18.45 | BZ$25.55 | BZ$44.00 |
| BZ$500 and over | BZ$520 | BZ$23.40 | BZ$28.60 | BZ$52.00 |
Contributions are payable for employees aged 14 to 65 who work at least 8 hours in a contribution week (Monday to Sunday). The employer pays the full amount and deducts only the employee’s share from wages.
Build Belize pay the way you already structure it, with your own salary components, deductions and formula columns, such as an SSB contribution column based on weekly earnings. Want to know how well IceHrm handles payroll calculations for Belize? Contact us or see Payroll →
Either party can end an indefinite contract by giving the statutory notice. The Labour Act protects workers from unfair dismissal, for example because of pregnancy, trade union activity, illness, HIV status or discrimination, and a worker who resigns because of the employer’s conduct is treated as unfairly dismissed.
| Continuous service | Notice |
|---|---|
| First 2 weeks (probation) | None |
| More than 2 weeks, up to 6 months | 1 week |
| More than 6 months, up to 2 years | 2 weeks |
| More than 2 years, up to 5 years | 4 weeks |
| More than 5 years | 8 weeks |
| Continuous service | When it is due | Severance per year |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 5 years | – | Nil |
| 5 to 10 years | Termination by the employer, or retirement at 60+ or on medical grounds | 1 week’s wages |
| Over 10 years | Termination not amounting to dismissal for cause, expiry of a fixed-term contract, retirement at 60+ or on medical grounds | 2 weeks’ wages |
Final pay should also include any accrued annual holiday. Casual workers who work at least 180 days a year with the same employer can count as continuously employed for severance purposes.
Belize has 14 public and bank holidays under the Holidays Act. Several are moved to a Monday when they fall on other weekdays, and a holiday falling on a Sunday is observed on the following Monday.
The government publishes the official list of observed dates each year. Work on Christmas Day, Good Friday and Easter Monday is paid at double time, and on other public holidays at time and a half.
Leave groups give each office its own holiday calendar, so the observed Monday dates for Belize are set once and applied to everyone automatically, even when your team also spans other countries. Holiday calendars →
The Labour Act applies to both oral and written contracts, and no contract can give a worker less than the Act provides. A written contract is still the best way to record the agreed terms.
Send contracts for e-signing, store them with work permits and social security details on the employee’s record, and track onboarding with task lists so nothing is missed on day one. Documents & e-signing →
This guide is general information to help you plan HR processes, not legal, tax or financial advice. Employment law and rates change regularly and awards, enterprise agreements and state rules may give employees more than the minimums shown here. Always confirm current requirements with the official sources or a qualified adviser.
Configure leave types, accrual rules and public holidays for Belize, keep employee records and contracts in one place, and run payroll with your own salary components. Want to know how IceHrm handles payroll calculations for Belize? Talk to us.
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