PBL CEO Says No Cuts or Job Losses

We also spoke to CEO at the Port of Belize, Andrew Lane who told us that, among other things, included in the agreement are increases for staff in the years to come. Lane says reaching an agreement is huge achievement that he is proud of.

Andrew Lane

Andrew Lane, CEO, PBL

“There was a number of changes that were requested, which for me made a lot of sense. Not to sound overly simplistic, but sometimes the application of some pragmatism carries you a long way. So, there were certain things that may increase a little bit of cost here, a little bit of cost there. But, at the end of the day they were, for me, logical things and things I felt we should any way be doing. So, those enhancements and changes were not difficult to agree to. Of course you have some of your bigger ticket items, your annual increase in salaries, and your bonuses, all of the stuff which relates to people pay, those of course are a little bit more sensitive. And, as much as we would like to give, we have a limitation in terms of how much we can give. We must remember that our business is in receivership, and it is there for a very good reason. We don’t have stacks of cash lying around that we can dish out to people. In a landscape where people are losing jobs and the public service is taking a ten percent pay cut, the staff here in 2021 won’t get any cuts and they won’t lose any jobs. And, in subsequent years they will get some increases. So, I think what we are giving here is way beyond the national average amongst other businesses and industries.”