News - Channel 5 Belize

Social Security Board Demands Respect

This morning at eight a.m., the Christian workers Union and Social Security Board convened outside the Social Security Headquarters in Belmopan where they staged a peaceful protest. About thirty S.S.B. employees gathered in the hopes of meeting with their management in order to voice their displeasure on what they claim, is a recurring issue of unfair treatment of the union members and special allowances to nonmembers. This is what Leonora Flowers, President of the Christian Workers Union, had to say on the issue.

Leonora Flowers, President, Christian Workers Union

“The inspectors have gathered out here today to voice and show their displeasure to management regarding an issue that we were informed about. They had made certain agreement with us when we queried an unfairness that was occurring and, unbeknownst to us, they changed on that plan. What was and is still so concerning is that this decision, the change occurred in a couple of days after we signed the agreement. So here we are chairing on SSB that we have signed our new CBA and then they’re changing the course on us. So we’re here gathered with our members to ensure that they know that this cannot continue. We need to be respected and the integrity that they demand from our inspectors, we also demand it from the management and of Social Security. The CEO was gracious, she allowed us to voice our opinion, everyone who wanted to have a say was able to do that. And we were able to impress upon her our sentiments, deep, grave, concerning, and the kind of agitation that we’re prepared to put forward to ensure that we’re heard and our members get the justice that they deserve. All we want is fairness. All we’ve ever wanted is fairness from SSV. And we continue to stand on that. It went as planned, but we have to give management their time to meet with their with the management to meet among themselves and to come back to us. And that’s what, that’s what the CEO offered, that they will get back to us. We tried to tie her to a time. But in all fairness, she said she was unable to give us a time. But we are hoping that the better judgment will rule out at the end of the day. The Act specifies certain things and we expect Social Security to live up to that”.

Christian Workers Union Puts Foot Down On Suspected Union Busting

The Christian Workers Union’s issue with the treatment of S.S.B. staff by management does not stop at feeling disrespected. The union claims that the special allowances granted towards nonmembers are a subtle form of union busting. As per regulation, Social Security inspectors are to undergo a mandatory three-year rotation. However, one inspector has been given a six-year extension, and as another extension was approved, the union has had enough. Leonora Flowers, President of the Union had this to say on the matter.

Leonora Flowers, President, Christian Workers Union

“It usually begins with a member getting their letter of transfer, sometimes three, four months before that transfer is to take effect. It happens normally in the summer months so that people are able to take their children and their family, move families across the country. That has been going on for 42 years, since SSV began. It has only gone on that sometimes, a member spends an additional year over or under in a certain location. This specific person has spent nine years in one location and that has been the contention that we’re Out 4:38 looking at toda. It was brought up to them October 2022 and we discussed it in August and in September 23 and the decision was made. The person was not going to be transferred in September because it was too short a window. We agreed. But they decided that it would happen in January. We agreed to that. And we understand that the transfer letter was sent out. Lo and behold, it was just rescinded a couple weeks ago. And you can, “the rest is history”. The person we’re talking about getting the special treatment is not a union member. So it goes without saying that our members will believe it’s union busting. If you can’t mete out the same kind of justice to everyone, then our members are at a loss. So it is union busting. Some may say no, but we believe that it is. The facts will show. We did not give an ultimatum. We’re leaving it for the management to decide and to use their better judgment, their best judgment in this situation. No need for ultimatum as yet. And we will not show our hands. We know what we have at our disposal. Our members are firm about this. They’ve given us a clear directive and we will continue to take a stand on their behalf”

Interim Injunction Granted to Belize Bank Against Central Bank

An interim injunction barring the Central Bank of Belize from enforcing what is known as Practice Direction Number Seven of 2023, has been ordered by High Court Justice Nadine Nabie. This morning, Senior Counsel Godfrey Smith and attorney Hector Guerra appeared on behalf of the Belize Bank Limited where a claim has been filed against the financial regulator. Practice Direction Number Seven seeks to restrict fees and charges in the domestic banking sector as issued by the Central Bank of Belize and any attendant penalties should the applicant’s fail to comply with its terms. The hearing for Belize Bank’s application for judicial review is set for February twelfth, 2024. The Central Bank of Belize is represented by attorney Yohhahnseh Cave.

Belize’s G.D.P. To Grow by 3.6%

The Preliminary Overview of the 2023 Economies in Latin America and the Caribbean indicates a persistently low growth trajectory in the region. This is according to a report compiled by the United Nations’ Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. According to the report, Belize’s gross domestic product (G.D.P.) is expected to grow by three point six percent, a decrease from four point eight percent in 2023. Jamaica will see the least growth with one point nine percent, while Guyana is expected to see the biggest increase with twenty-eight point nine percent. The report highlights multiple challenges hindering short-term growth, including a sluggish global economy in terms of G.D.P. growth and trade. The report also states that there is limited room for fiscal and monetary policy maneuvers in the region. Given this context, the commission stressed the importance of macroeconomic policies to stimulate increased investment, fostering resilience to climate change, and enhancing the region’s capacity for sustained growth.

PM Briceño to Visit Vatican City During Personal Leave

As we’ve mentioned at the top of our newscast, Prime Minister John Briceño is presently out of the country on personal leave. His absence from the country precedes a scheduled visit to Vatican City, Rome, where he will be meeting with Pope Francis. During his time away, Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde will hold over as Prime Minister. PM Briceño is scheduled to return to Belize on January seventh.

Francis Fonseca Says Foreign Affairs Portfolio is Nothing New

Following the last House Meeting in December 2023, Senator Eamon Courtenay, who served as the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, announced his departure from Cabinet and returning to private life. Courtenay, who has served in that capacity since the P.U.P. won the general elections in November 2020, is now working at his law firm. The government announced soon after that his replacement is the Minister of Education, Science, Technology, and Culture, Francis Fonseca, who has officially taken on the added portfolio. Today, News Five asked Fonseca how he is adjusting to the new assignment. He told us that he has acted in that capacity already, and with Courtenay’s guidance, the task should be doable.

Via phone: Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs

“I certainly did not seek this position. I certainly am honoured to take on the responsibility for our nation’s foreign affairs and foreign trade. I’m doing so, as you know, in addition to my continuing responsibilities for education, culture, science and technology. So, you know, I fully appreciate the critical importance of these duties and responsibilities to believe this national development and our future. You know, I certainly want to place on record, on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, our deep gratitude to the outgoing Foreign Minister, Senator Courtney, who of course, over the past few years has led that ministry with absolute distinction, strong leadership, tremendous experience. In my view, [he is] the most effective foreign minister Belize has had certainly over the past 25 years, and as you said, he has offered his support and guidance and I certainly welcome that and fully support his continued engagement and certainly his leadership on behalf of Belize in respect of matters ongoing before the ICJ. As Foreign Minister, I will of course be fully briefed and involved in all discussions and decisions taken regarding the I.C.J., as I have over the past few years. Senator Courtney has kept me fully informed. When he has travelled, I have served already over the past year as the Acting Foreign Minister, so, you know, I certainly understand the role and responsibilities that come with these additional duties.”

Fonseca Says Foreign Affairs Portfolio Comes With a Team

But the portfolio of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade is among a country’s most critical because it speaks to how that nation is represented diplomatically and how it conducts business on the international stage with other countries. Fonseca, a senior minister, is already responsible for a very loaded portfolio – that of education, science, technology and culture. But how will He a take on this added ministry’s workload? He told us it’s all about team work.

Via phone: Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs

“It’s undoubtedly a great responsibility, but one I think I’m fully prepared and equipped to handle and take on, and I say that with some level of confidence because of the people I have around me, both at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. They have excellent – we have excellent people at both of those ministries, who are, you know, very, very capable, very competent. I think at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology, we have already put in place a very firm foundation for success. We have an excellent team, leadership team there, senior management team. Of course, I’m supported by Minister of State, Dr. Louise Zabaneh, so I think all of us working together can make this work. Our job is to ensure that we are effectively carrying out, you know, government’s policy, and that we are advancing the interests of Belize.”

2024 Welcomes Four New Babies into Belize

As Belizeans across the country welcome the New Year, some families are welcoming a baby into the world. Every year, the first babies born on January first are celebrated countrywide, as an outpour of gifts is showered on them from various businesses. On New Year’s Day, four babies were delivered at Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. We visited the newborns and their families today at the K.H.M.H.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

While the rest of Belize celebrated with fireworks, the K.H.M.H. staff was assisting first-time mother, Sauri Robles in bringing her son into world. The newborn, who is yet to be named, was expected on December thirtieth, 2023, but instead arrived at 1:41 am on January first, 2024, weighing in at seven pounds.

Reporter

“What was that like going into labor?”

Sauri Robles, First-time Mother

“Pain, Hurt but it’s alright. You know every woman has to go through that so.”

Reporter

“And how are you feeling today after welcoming this baby into the world?”

Sauri Robles

“Nervous because it’s my first time but happy… excited that I could be a mother myself and teach a baby things….sometimes you feel bad how our mothers treat their child and it’s like if I were to be that baby’s [mother], I’d be a better mother than some mothers”

A few hours later, at 9:38 am, the second baby of the bunch was brought into the celebration; this time, a girl. Weighing in at six pounds two ounces, baby Segura was born. She was followed by baby Nyla. The third girl of the day was born to another first-time mother, Roshanna Andrewin. The baby was delivered by C-section at exactly eleven am, weighing six pounds 11 ounces. Andrewin’s only wish for her daughter is that she grows up to live a happy life.

Reporter

“How are you handling it?”

Roshanna Andrewin, First-time Mother

“Good. It’s fine. Everything is fine.”

Reporter

“Do you have any special wishes for your child being one of the first born in this new year? Any wishes for throughout this year and the rest of her life?”

Roshanna Andrewin

“To always celebrate her birthday and always be happy to see the new year.”

Not to be excluded from the celebrations, another baby boy arrived five days before his expected delivery date at 8:01 pm weighing in at six pounds, two ounces. Mother of four, Jeneva Rubio, has yet to name her new son, but she is grateful for having and easy delivery.

Jeneva Rubio, Mother of Four

“This is my fourth child so he’s the baby but we we’ll raise him just like we raised the others. Treat him with love, treat them exactly the same way.”

Reporter

“Do you think this birth was easier or more difficult than your last?”

Jeneva Rubio

“Easier. I think he came out just like my second son. It was just easier. The two girls gave me more pain”

The babies and mothers were also celebrated by San Cas group who kept up their yearly tradition of sending gift packages for the first babies of the year. Included in the packages were Huggies diapers and wipes, Ovaltine, Seven Seas, Jergens, Kotex, and Dutch lady products.

NDACC Says “Make Driving Safely Your New Year’s Resolution.”

The National Drug Abuse Control Council, alongside the Ministry of Health and Wellness, is furthering their mission of making the roads of Belize a safer place. With the New Year comes the re-launch of their “Don’t Drink and Drive Campaign”. The campaign, which has been ongoing since 2023, is social media and roadside operated mission to inform Belizeans on the dangers of driving under the influence. Although the campaign runs year-round, holiday seasons are an especially vulnerable time for the organization. We spoke with Esner Vellos, Director of the National Drug Abuse Control Council, on the issue.

Esner Vellos, Director, National Drug Abuse Control Council

“Our mandate is to ensure that we provide The relevant information to the population, not only through our programs in the schools and in the communities or through our outreach services, but also in reference to major holidays. Last year in 2023, we did three major campaigns that alluded to drunk driving. We did one in April, during the Easter break, we also did one during the September celebrations. And we did another one in December just to ensure that we have a safe holiday season and ensuring that we reduce the number of drunk driving. We do know that we personally, through the Ministry of Health, cannot reduce drunk driving, but we can ensure that we provide the relevant information so that the people can make the right choices and ensure that they don’t drink and drive.”

Reporter

“You mentioned that you guys kind of reinvented this campaign by taking it onto social media. How else do you guys plan on elevating this campaign in the future?”

Esner Vellos

“One of the things that we want to do is to ensure that we have billboards up there. The effect that we have had in terms of social media campaign was very great because we know that a lot of our young people are social media savvy, and that is one target group that we’re very much interested to ensuring that our younger population, especially our young kids are aware of the dangers of alcohol consumption. Not only in terms of drunk driving, but also in the overall effects that alcohol has whenever someone consumes these substances. And not only alcohol, but also marijuana and all the illegal substances that we may have here in the country of Belize. This holiday season campaign, what we did, was that we also included the media houses to make sure that as much people get the information And it’s for the first time, the Ministry of Health, for the National Drug Abuse Control Council, created and produced an ad that would showcase specifically that. So that, at the end of the day, our contribution would have been the information that is needed so that people make the right choices in life.”