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Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,397
Marty Offline OP
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Minimum Wage task force looking for fair new level

Friday, 08 September 2006, The Reporter

The Belize Labour Department announced this week the Belize Minimum Wages Council will commence its field work with visits to workplaces around the country, holding discussions with empl-oyers, workers, and selected members of the public to prepare a minimum wage package for the country.

The nine-member Council, made up of an equal number of employers, workers, and government representatives, was appointed by Minister of Labour Francis Fonseca to undertake a revision of all minimum wages, and to determine whether there should be one rate for all categories.

The Council will complete regulation proposals and recommendations to the minister by the end of December 2006.

Carlos Santos is the Chairman of the Council.

In arriving at its recommendations, the Council must take into account:

* The needs of workers and their families

* The general level of wages in the country

* The cost of living

* Social Security benefits

* Living standards as these relate to the various social groups, and other economic factors, such as:

� investment climate

� competitiveness

� level of productivity

� employers' capacity to pay, etc.

The field work will validate, through personal conversations and discussions with employers and workers, information gathered from the available statistics and will enable the Council to see first-hand the various workplaces and the conditions under which people are working.

The Council has held discussions with the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Belize Business Bureau. It will also dialogue with the various trade unions, the Women's Issues Network and conduct one-on-one meetings with domestic workers, shop assistants, agricultural field workers, and other non-unionized and vulnerable sections of the population.

The last minimum wage adjustment was in 2002. At that revision shop assistants and domestic helpers were to be paid at least $2.25 an hour or $20.00 for an 8-hour day. Students and manual workers employed in agriculture, agro-industry or export-oriented industries were to be paid at least $2.00 an hour or $16.00 for an 8 hour day.

The Council invites the cooperation of all employers, workers, and the public in helping to arrive at fair, just, and equitable recommendations in the interest of Belize.

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 187
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Once again the heavy-duty work not requiring any educational skills has a lower proposed pay scale. The class system is alive and well.

So let me see, a surly young store worker who cannot add without a calculator and sits there gabbing on their cell phone while giving you the bum's rush gets more money than someone cutting cane, carrying buckets of cement or filling in potholes?

What currency is that in Marty? Local or gringo.


whaddaya mean yer all outta Jack's?
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 4,262
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Those hardworking guys that carry buckets of cement usually get paid for their production...not by the hour. Its amazing to see how fast these buildings go up.


Gone fishing!!
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 187
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maybe where u are...(hic)....i know that these guys get paid about BZ twenty five bucks a day...Would u do that job for THAT wage?

Doubtful...we are the upper class and the rest are peons...

"We are not peasants...we are an antonomous collective"....Python


whaddaya mean yer all outta Jack's?
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 4,262
Offline
I would not be interested in laboring for any amount of compensation...my work days are over!! The real issue is this...if the worker had a better opportunity...he would find it. While the compensation on Ambergris Caye may NOT be up to "gringo" standards...people come to find work in San Pedro from all corners of Central America. I have many friends who have arrived in San Pedro with nothing...and after several years of hardwork...they have a little place to call home, a good bicyle, children in school, and a lot of pride. San Pedro IS the land of opportunity in Central America!!! PS. Think as a peon...be a peon.


Gone fishing!!
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,001
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BILL YOUR ON FIRE ,YOU ARE THE MAN SOOOOOOOOOO WELL PUT.IT IS WHAT IT IS .


Living The Dream Every Day!
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 199
R
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R
I cannot belive that a a country so invested in tourism pays such "third world factor worker" wages!!...GOB...Iam sure must have many supporters(NOT)

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 187
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The question is this Bill...would you settle for that - the bicycle, the little house? It is not a question of someone thinking as a peon it is a matter of where they are stuck in the class structure.


whaddaya mean yer all outta Jack's?
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 4,262
Offline
I grew up in a hardworking middle class family...not in a getto or Blue Bloodville. We all should play well the cards which have been dealt. Some, unfortunately, can not!!! Some resort to crime, others to the bottle or pot. The secret is not settling for ones station in life...but, being grateful for what one has and working hard for ones goals. The answer can not be found at the bottom of the glass...just the problem.


Gone fishing!!
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 187
Offline
And what exactly does that have to do with equitable wages? This is not about Americans...this is about Belizeans. Belizeans, many of whom, work very hard for little pay...like the person who most likely cleans your house?

Notice I said "most likely" please.


whaddaya mean yer all outta Jack's?
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