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The BCCI has just learnt that the Labour Amendment Bill will be tabled for its first reading (see attached) at the House of Representatives tomorrow 17th December. We had received assurances that the Bill will not be tabled this year. However, late this evening we received a copy of the Bill that will be tabled which we are currently analyzing.

One of the blatant inclusions is regarding the Notice Period Requirements on which we had not consulted. The changes are as follows:

Current Law

· 2 weeks to 6 months continuous service - 3 days notice pay required

· 6 months to 1 year continuous service - 1 week notice pay required

· 1 to 2 years continuous service - 2 weeks notice pay required

· More than 2 years continuous service - 4 weeks notice pay required



Amended Law

· 1 day to 6 months continuous service - 1 week notice pay required

· 6 months to 2 years continuous service - 1 month notice pay required

· More than 2 years continuous service - 2 months notice pay required

The severance provisions have been confirmed at 5 to 10 years one week and 10 years and over two weeks, not retroactive and payment for public and bank holidays not including Christmas, Good Friday and Easter Monday is confirmed at 2 ½ times regular pay rates.

The Chamber continues to review and will provide updates tomorrow. Please ensure that you take the time to read this bill as it will have great impact on all our businesses.

Warmest Regards
Kim Aikman (Mrs.)
Director Member Relations
Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry

So when you hire someone new on the job and it doesn't work out you have to pay him a weeks notice. One month notice after 6 months on the job? I don't think this has been thought through very well. You don't even see this in the first world!

I am afraid that the government has their priorities mixed up. I hope they have noticed that the economy is in trouble and about half the country is in receivership. Crime is totally out of control and nothing is being done about it. In the mids of all of that they feel they need to be spending their time and energy on raising the bar dramatically for the businesses that are still (barely) left up and running?

That is just wrong!

Agree agree agree! We have a line on our employee's payroll sheet that they sign every week stating that they understand that their first six months of work is probationary. Wonder if that would fly at the Labor Board after this bill.

Priorities are definitely upside down. Most honest businesses on the island do not let employees go without cause, because to have a good, long term employee is a treasure, not to be used or abused.

TOTALLY RIDICULOUS. TOTALLY.

THIS RATES PROTEST LETTER STRONGER THAN THE CRIME ONE - THIS IS A NEW KIND OF MURDER.

(yes I am yelling).

Any news on this ? Please inform so we can lodge our protests (again) if need be.