KHMHA Workers Union Fights to Restore Board Seat After Amendment

The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority Workers Union is voicing strong opposition to a recent amendment to the K.H.M.H. Authority Act. According to a statement from the union, the amendment, read in the House of Representatives this past Friday, removes their right to representation on the Board of Governors and replaces it with a representative from the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) who cannot be a member of the KHMHA workers union. In their statement, the union expressed frustration, stating that at no point during the drafting or consideration of this amendment were they informed. They stressed that having their own representation on the board is crucial for addressing the needs of staff, as they possess direct and intimate understanding of these issues. The union is now demanding a full retraction of this amendment and the restoration of the union’s seat on the board. But that does not look like it’s happening because the government issued a statement after, explaining the decision. It said that the NTUCB encompasses several member organizations, including the K.H.M.H. workers union, to ensure that diverse employee interests are considered.