By Stafflow Editorial Team · Published 2026-09-25 · Last verified September 25, 2026
Key points
- The Labour Act provides at least two working weeks of annual holiday after each qualifying year of employment.
- Public holidays, Sundays, and agreed rest days occurring during annual leave extend the annual holiday by one day each.
- Eligible workers can receive up to 16 working days of paid sick leave in a 12-month period.
- Eligible female workers can receive 14 weeks of maternity leave on full pay, subject to the statutory service threshold.
Annual leave
The Labour Act provides a minimum annual holiday of two working weeks after each qualifying year of employment. The employer determines the start date and must give at least seven days’ notice.
If a public holiday, Sunday, or other agreed rest day occurs during the annual holiday period, the holiday period is increased by one day for each such day.
Paid sick leave
A worker employed by the same employer for an aggregate of at least sixty days in the preceding twelve months can qualify for paid sick leave when the statutory conditions are met.
The maximum statutory entitlement is up to sixteen working days with pay in any twelve months. If requested in writing by the employer, a medical certificate must be produced within forty-eight hours.
Maternity leave
A female worker who meets the statutory service threshold is entitled to fourteen weeks of maternity leave on full pay. The Labour Act specifies at least 150 days of employment with the same employer during the twelve months preceding confinement for paid entitlement.
Where the worker is also entitled to Social Security maternity benefits, the Labour Act provides for the employer to pay any difference between the statutory maternity entitlement and the Social Security benefit.
HR recordkeeping
- Track accrual dates and leave taken.
- Record public holidays or rest days that extend annual leave.
- Retain medical certificates and leave approvals where applicable.
- Apply any better contractual or collective-bargaining benefit where it exceeds the statutory minimum.
Official sources
Useful Stafflow tools
Related Belize payroll guides
Important note
This guide is general educational information, not tax or legal advice. Rules can change and individual circumstances matter. Verify current requirements with the relevant Belize authority or a qualified professional before acting.