When you develop a successful company in your home country, you may consider expanding overseas. This move can be beneficial to your company when executed correctly. While you can choose to handle...
Read MoreWhen you develop a successful company in your home country, you may consider expanding overseas. This move can be beneficial to your company when executed correctly. While you can choose to handle the process independently, Globalization Partners can streamline the process and help you start your global success.
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When you develop a successful company in your home country, you may consider expanding overseas. This move can be beneficial to your company when executed correctly. While you can choose to handle the process independently, Globalization Partners can streamline the process and help you start your global success.
Our Employer of Record model involves hiring your employees through our entity in your country of expansion. Our connection to over 180 countries makes it possible to expand around the world. You can also count on our team of legal and HR experts to keep your employment terms compliant while offering streamlined payroll and onboarding services.
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This setup allows you to offload all legal risks to us. With your employees under our name, we’re responsible for following Belize’s employment laws and keeping your company legal. With peace of mind, you can focus on what you know best — growing your company.
Take a look at some of our legal knowledge on Belize to see how our expertise can guide your expansion.
Located in Central America, Belize is a Caribbean country with growth potential for companies. The country is a tax haven open to international investors and offers tax exemptions in many circumstances. With a focus on industries such as agriculture and tourism, Belize is an excellent area to begin your expansion around the world.
Belize’s labor laws dictate employment contracts as expressed or implied agreements, and they can be oral or written. You may hire a worker for an indefinite or definite period.
A written contract is required when:
A written contract is only valid for a service time of one year or two years if the employee’s family is with them.
Your employment contract is required to include basic information about you and your worker, including names and addresses, as well as employment terms, such as the duration, wages, notice periods, and any special conditions.
The standard workweek is 45 hours. A workday should not exceed nine hours before overtime, and all employees are entitled to one rest day a week. The typical rest day is Sunday, though you may choose a different day of the week and include it in the employment contract.
An employee is never required to perform overtime work, but they may choose to. Any hours worked over the set schedule in the employment agreement should count for overtime pay. The pay rate must be 150 percent of regular wages. If an employee works on their assigned rest day, they should also make time and a half.
Employees that work the day before and after a public holiday are entitled to a paid day off for that holiday. The country recognizes 13 public holidays:
If an employee works on a holiday, they should make 150 percent of their regular rate. Work on Good Friday, Easter Monday, or Christmas Day requires 200 percent of the employee’s regular wages. When a holiday falls on an employee’s standard rest day, you do not need to pay workers for the time off.
After a year of work, employees must receive at least two weeks of paid annual leave. You determine when a worker takes their time off, and they must take it within six months of earning it. Labor laws require that workers take annual leave in a single period or two periods per an agreement with you.
During annual leave, employees receive average pay — 1/26th of a year’s pay. If any employee takes their leave in two periods, the pay should be an appropriate average for the time off.
When an employee has worked for you for 60 days within 12 months, they are entitled to sick leave. Workers receive 16 days of paid sick leave and must present a medical certificate within 48 hours of taking leave. If an employee does not present a medical certificate, you aren’t required to pay them during their leave.
The country’s social security fund covers sick days after three days of absence — you must pay for the first three days. If social security doesn’t cover an employee’s wages completely, you are responsible for making up the difference for the last 13 days of absence.
Female employees are entitled to 14 weeks of paid maternity leave. They can take up to seven weeks before delivery and seven weeks off after. To receive full pay, they must work for your company for 150 days.
If the employee receives a maternity benefit from social security, you must pay the difference to equal her wages. In cases where social security covers a worker’s regular rate, you are not responsible for paying maternity leave.
Health insurance is not a requirement since the country does have public health care and the social security fund. However, there are private health care facilities on the island, if you choose to provide a health insurance scheme.
There are no bonuses or additional benefits outlined in the employment laws. You may provide these incentives as you are able.
Termination regulations depend on the type of contract and time an employee has served your company. For oral contracts, notice is:
If an employee fails to give notice to terminate an oral contract, they must pay you half the wages made during a notice period. You, as the employer, must pay the employee an amount equal to full wages during the notice period if you do not provide notice.
A written contract may determine notice periods for termination, but the minimum requirements are:
Explanations for termination may include misconduct or disobedience in the workplace, lack of skill to complete the job, neglect of duties, and continual unapproved absence from work.
Severance pay is required in certain circumstances, including retirement, expiration of the contract, and termination by you.
You must deduct income tax and make contributions to the social security fund from employee paychecks.
Globalization Partners offers the support you need for your global expansion in Belize. Contact our team to learn more.
If you’re ready to grow your business, or you have questions about a specific country, complete the form. One of our experts will be in touch shortly.
