February 14, 2025 - Channel 5 Belize

CWU Challenges GOB Over Arbitration Tribunal for Stevedores’ Dispute

The Christian Workers Union (CWU) is calling out the Government of Belize (GoB) over what it describes as a flawed and biased arbitration process regarding ongoing labour disputes at the Port of Belize Limited (PBL).

Since mid-2024, CWU and PBL’s management have been negotiating a new Collective Bargaining Agreement for stevedores. After issuing a 21-day notice of industrial action on January 31, 2025, the Labour Minister empanelled an Essential Services Arbitration Tribunal (ESAT) on February 3 to resolve the dispute. However, CWU is strongly objecting to the tribunal’s composition. It is arguing that with three of its five members being government representatives, it cannot be considered impartial.

CWU asserts that the government, as the new owner of PBL since its acquisition in December 2023, should not be both the employer and the primary decision-maker in the arbitration process. The union contends that this setup undermines natural justice, as it allows the government to act as “judge, jury, and executioner” in the matter.

Calling for immediate corrective action, CWU has urged Prime Minister John Briceño, the Minister of Labour, and the caretaker government to reconsider the tribunal’s structure. The union insists that the process must be fair and independent, warning that proceeding with the current panel would amount to a “farce and a tragedy” against Belizean workers.

CWU maintains that it will not allow its members to be subjected to what it views as an unjust process, vowing to ensure fairness in any resolution of the dispute.

Central Bank Closes 19 Defunct Credit Unions

The Central Bank of Belize has initiated the winding-up of 19 defunct credit unions, including prominent ones like Mount Carmel Credit Union, the Police and Civil Service Credit Unions in Belize City, and the Citrus Growers and Workers Credit Union in Dangriga. This process, which started in April 2017 under former Governor Joy Grant, is being finalised by current Governor Kareem Michael. Marlowe Neal has been appointed as the liquidator.

Elizabeth Ayuso, business development officer for the Belize Credit Union League, explained, “Unfortunately, the liquidation of the credit unions falls outside of the league’s direct mandate.” She said that these liquidations mostly concern credit unions that ceased operations years ago, with Mount Carmel being the most recent, closing in 2016.

The Belize Credit Union League is not commenting on the specific liquidations, as these are statutory actions by the Central Bank. “The league cannot comment on the specific details,” Ayuso stated. Currently, Belize has eight active credit unions, with several new ones emerging in recent years.

Measles Outbreak in Texas Sickens 24

A worsening measles outbreak in Texas has infected 24 people and hospitalised nine, with cases concentrated in Gaines County, where childhood vaccination rates have declined in recent years, The New York Times reports. Health officials confirmed that all infected individuals—22 children and two adults—were unvaccinated.

According to The New York Times, public health experts fear that such outbreaks could become more common as vaccine hesitancy grows nationwide. Dr Cameron Wolfe, an infectious disease specialist at Duke University, warned that declining vaccination rates increase the risk of preventable diseases spreading.

Gaines County, which borders New Mexico and has a population of around 20,000, has one of the highest vaccine exemption rates in Texas. More than 13% of students in the county have opted out of required immunisations for religious or personal reasons. While Texas mandates vaccinations for school enrolment, parents can apply for exemptions based on “reasons of conscience.”

Local health officials have responded by setting up drive-through vaccination clinics in Seminole, a city with a large Mennonite community. According to The New York Times, these clinics have been well attended as authorities work to contain the outbreak.

Measles can lead to serious complications, particularly in young children, including pneumonia and brain swelling. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that one in five unvaccinated measles patients requires hospitalisation. In this outbreak, all hospitalised patients have been school-age children, with several admitted to intensive care.

State health officials caution that more cases may emerge in surrounding communities due to the highly contagious nature of measles. Meanwhile, The New York Times reports that New Mexico has confirmed a separate measles case in a teenager living near the Texas border, though there is no known link to the Gaines County outbreak.

One Dead in Corozal RTA

A road traffic accident in the Corozal District has left one man dead and another injured. The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon around 3 p.m. when brothers Gaspar and Santiago Cantun were travelling on Sarteneja Road in a Chevy Tracker. Reports suggest that Gaspar lost control of the vehicle, causing it to flip multiple times.

Both men were rushed to the Corozal Community Hospital. Gaspar succumbed to his injuries, and Santiago was treated and has since been released.

According to initial investigations, the vehicle was operating with an expired license plate at the time of the crash. Authorities are continuing to probe the cause of the accident.

Ex-Sports Council Accountant Gets 5 Years for $1M Fraud

The High Court of Belize has sentenced former National Sports Council (NSC) accountant Ivan Ayuso to five years in prison after he pleaded guilty to theft and money laundering charges. Ayuso was found to have stolen over one million dollars from the NSC between 2013 and 2016 by making unauthorized salary payments to himself. The stolen funds were used to purchase a home, a luxury vehicle, and cover personal expenses.

Justice Nigel Pilgrim accepted a plea agreement that imposed a five-year sentence for each of the four counts, to be served concurrently. The court noted that Ayuso’s fraudulent actions severely impacted the NSC’s ability to secure funding and maintain credibility with donors.

In addition to his prison sentence, Ayuso has agreed not to contest the government’s move to seize his Belama property, which was allegedly purchased with the stolen funds. However, a third party has intervened in the forfeiture proceedings, delaying a final ruling on the matter.

While Ayuso expressed remorse for his actions, the court stressed the need for deterrence and accountability.

The Dark History Behind Valentine’s Day

The day of “love and friendship” is finally here, and while some may hate the day, there are those who look forward to it. Every February 14 is known for love, roses, and heart-shaped cards—but you may be surprised to know that its origins are far from romantic. And just like other well-celebrated holidays, it’s an opportune time for businesses to commercialise the holiday and maximise profits.

But what is the history behind Valentine’s Day? Well, it dates back thousands of years, and its origins are rooted in ancient Roman history and Saint Valentine’s legacy. For centuries, Romans observed “Lupercalia,” a pagan festival that celebrated fertility, until the 5th century when the Catholic Church ended it. The church then established February 14 as the feast day for Saint Valentine, though historians debate if it was a replacement for Lupercalia.

But who was Saint Valentine? Why is he linked to the day of “love?” According to CBS News, Saint Valentine was a Roman priest in the 3rd century who defied Emperor Claudius II. The emperor forbade marriages for young men because he thought that men without family burdens were better soldiers and ensured a strong army. Valentinus secretly married couples, angering the emperor. He was imprisoned and later martyred on February 14. Valentine’s martyrdom for his religion is what strongly resonated with people.

Pope Gelasius I established February 14 as St. Valentine’s Day in 494, and though removed from the Catholic calendar in 1969, the day remains a global celebration of love. The iconic symbol of love—Cupid—also has ancient Roman roots. The word comes from the Latin word “Cupido” and is both the offspring and helper of Aphrodite or Venus. Cupid embodies desire and the timeless nature of human attraction, CBS News reported.