Employers to Comply with Voting Time Off

Belizeans are less than two days away from casting their vote on March 12. Today, the Labour Department issued a statement reminding employers of their legal obligation to provide employees with reasonable time off to vote in the upcoming General Election on March 12, 2025.

The department stated that “under Section 29 of the Representation of the People Act (Chapter 9),” employers must ensure employees have sufficient time to travel to their polling stations, cast their votes, and return to work. Employers are prohibited from deducting wages or imposing penalties on employees for taking time off to vote.

It added, “For employees who need to travel long distances to vote, employers are encouraged to be flexible and make any necessary adjustments to ensure they can exercise their right to vote.”

Failure to comply with these legal requirements could result in fines or imprisonment, the department said.