Tonight, we bring you another episode of the U.D.P.’s political drama. Tonight’s installment features U.D.P. Leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow and his challenger, Albert Area Representative Tracy Panton. Panton fired off a letter to the chairman of the U.D.P.’s Ethics and Integrity Committee, Aldo Salazar, when she saw this flyer circulating. The flyer calls for interested persons to submit applications to become the next standard bearer for Caribbean Shores. In her letter, Panton tellls Salazar (quote) “As far as I am aware, the decision to remove of the current Standard Bearer is unconstitutional and, therefore, illegal. There must be a convening of a National Party Council Meeting for such a decision to be taken by its membership.” She continues, quote, “I urge you to look into this matter post haste so that this decision can be rescinded with immediate effect.” Sources within the U.D.P. tell News Five that this is the latest move from the party’s leadership to have Panton removed for leading the charge against Barrow. And, Panton has been throwing a lot of shade on Facebook. Her most recent post states, quote, “I stand in solidarity with ALL women who are abused, bullied, disrespected, disregarded or threatened by insecure men who would do just about anything to ensure she does not have a seat at the table”, end quote.
Tag: 2024-08-09
Dr. Leroy Almendarez on Being S.S.B.’s New C.E.O.
On Thursday night, we told you who the new chief executive officer of the Social Security Board will be. That person is Doctor Leroy Almendarez, who is leaving his position as executive director of BELTRAIDE to head the S.S.B. He replaces Deborah Ruiz who decided not to renew her contract. Doctor Almendarez is expected to officially take up the post on August nineteenth. Today at the annual, S.S.B. Connect Forum, Doctor Almendarez spoke to the press.
Deborah Ruiz, C.E.O., S.S.B.
“When I submitted my notice that I did not intend to renew the board former search committee an open advertisement was made, and we had several persons respond. So we had a short list and we had interviews being done. So he was selected through an interview process on the recommendation of the committee table to the board and a discussion. Had on the recommendation was supported. So we have an incoming C.E.O. in the person of Doctor Leroy Almendarez we also have a deputy C.E.O. coming in the person of mister Jerome Palma.”
Dr. Leroy Almendarez, Incoming C.E.O., S.S.B.
“In terms of transition, I must say that understanding the role that social security is supposed to play in our society. The United Nations really basically said it’s a human right when it comes to social protection, when it comes to creation of employment and skill building and those kind of things, and the fact that you should be able to participate. So for me, it’s really moving into a situation where I think I have an understanding, but it’s until you enter the organization, then you get a full understanding. But for me, like I said, one of the major things where it’s concerned, S.S.B. is concerned, is the fact that it’s contributors money. It’s employees, it’s employers and employees money. If you work for yourself, it makes it even more challenging. And so the security of that fund The fact that the fund must continue to grow.”
Incoming S.S.B. C.E.O. Promises an Era of Dialogue and Transparency
Today, at the annual S.S.B. Connect forum, the Executive Director of BELTRADE, Doctor Leroy Almendarez, was introduced as the incoming C.E.O. of the Social Security Board. Doctor Almendarez is assuming the post amidst tensions between the board, the Christian Workers Union, and the National Trade Union Congress of Belize. In recent weeks, the unions have written to the board expressing frustration over their alleged exclusions from crucial meetings and conversations. We spoke with Doctor Almendarez about how he plans to navigate this transition. Here’s what he had to say.
Leroy Almendarez, Incoming C.E.O., S.S.B.
“I consider the unions, let’s say that remember they represent labor It’s important for them to protect the people, you know that they represent because everybody cannot come to the table I intend, and I say I in this case, to have a next, to have a relationship, to have open dialogue with the unions. In essence, let it not get to the public. The door will be open where we can discuss these things in advance, so it does not have to be escalated. Where we think that, it, it requires a situation where the board needs to intervene, Then it’s for me to listen and take that information to the chair and say, okay, we need to look at this even more closely because there’s a, I believe that for every situation there is a resolution. And so when I saw, for example, the black ribbons on some members of staff, knowing that I was going to take over and say, okay, why, how did we get here? Because where I work now, we don’t get there, right? We resolve internal issues, of course, even in the absence of a union. But they represent the people that they represent even if they’re employees of social security. It is my job working along with the deputy working along with the you know with the management team and in you know really in cohesion with the board to make sure that the work that we do are in fact all for the benefit of those internal let me say this quickly if you do not make the environment conducive for your internal customers where your square employees, then the external customers will be disadvantaged because you will not get the kind of service that they’re supposed to be getting. We build a team, we create an environment where people feel welcome, to perform. But as I said, where the unions are concerned, they are there for a reason. And one of the things I will not do. It’s a close the door from the unions when they say we need to dialogue.”
C.W.U. says ‘Everything Positive’ with the S.S.B.
The Christian Workers Union and the Social Security Board are in dialogue over the conditions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. After the recent announcement that the board would be hiring a deputy C.E.O., the union claims that the post was not adequately advertised, which they maintain is contradictory to the conditions of the agreement. However, Leonora Flowers, president of the C.W.U., says that the parties have since been in discussion about the matter, and she expects positive progress in the future.
Leonora Flowers, President, C.W.U.
“We are getting to those as we speak. We have different meetings set up and we’re going to work to those. Everything’s positive going forward.”
Reporter
“Are there any details you can share with us because I believe the last time we spoke with miss Ruiz, she said she wasn’t aware that there were any issues.”
Leonora Flowers
“Since then, we have sat down with the C.E.O. and her team, management, and we have discussed those issues. Most of them have been reviewed in a positive light, positive form so far and we have others that we have to work on.”
Reporter
“So in light of what you’ve just said do you guys have like maybe an estimated timeline when you’re hoping to have all those discussions wrapped up?”
Leonora Flowers
“Not yet. Because we go back to the table again. The timeline is not yet set. We have more dialogue to do.”
Reporter
“Is the issues, is it that there were problems with what was currently in the C.B.A.? Is there a signed C.B.A. and was it things inside that needed to be changed?”
Leonora Flowers
“No, not really change. It’s just that management needs to be reminded every so often that the C.B.A. says this. And so when you step out the line, the union has to say you’re stepping out the line and we expect you to abide by those. That’s how we did. And that’s how we continue to do every time we sit with SSB, remind them that the C.B.A. stands, that’s like our Bible for our members. So if you step out the line, we have to remind you. There’s a process to do that. So that’s what we did. We sat at the table. You’re not doing this. We don’t believe we think you’re disrespecting our members. We think you’re going and we cannot allow this to continue So that’s what we continue to do every time.”
Trisha Perez, Education Director, N.T.U.C.B.
“I do know that it’s something new to SSB and new to our union members as well. What I do believe I’ve been informed of is that they don’t do promotions in S.S.B. They generally do interviews and lately they did some promotions and that’s something new. Which goes against the C.B.A. Along with that, recently I believe they Change it from promotion to reclassification, which is also something new. And when you’re dealing with terms and conditions of workers that are covered under a collective bargaining agreement, you should be going within the guidelines of that C.B.A. So there is some friction there. I know, but I don’t have an update for you as yet.”
Ruiz Maintains S.S.B. has Included Unions in Necessary Dialogues
Over the past few months, tensions have been high between the Social Security Board and the National Trade Union Congress of Belize. In a letter sent to the board, the union members claimed they have been consistently excluded from important dialogues, such as the decision to hire a deputy C.E.O. for the board. The S.S.B. then issued a release, maintaining that all proper protocol had been adhered to. We asked C.E.O. Deborah Ruiz for an update on the discussions between the parties. Here’s what she had to say.
Debora Ruiz, C.E.O., S.S.B.
“In terms of a discussion, I know that would be at the board level. So I’m not aware that a meeting per se has been had, apart from our board meeting, where the board has been meeting. The N.T.U.C.B. is a member of our board, so discussions have been had at our board level. But in terms of resolving concerns, I think that would merit further conversation with our board, no? I can’t speak to that at this time.”
Britney Gordon
“One of the issues that they had brought up was a lack of transparency and communication between the S.S.B. and the N.T.U.C.B.”
Debora Ruiz
“The N.T.U.C.B. is a vital partner. They sit on our board. I’m not sure if the concern that you refer to refers to the N.T.U.C.B. proper or the persons who they nominate to sit on our board. The persons who are nominated to sit on the board, the way the process works is that if any matter comes up for a decision, we have prepared board agenda, we have decision matters, and we have other matters. If suggestions come up on the other matters, then as the nominee for the whatever whether it be the chamber or the N.T.U.C.B. or the government of Belize, they have a vote. And the vote is by majority. Those are the rules of the organization. Yes, that is as far as I could see. But normally, any substantial matter, we do try to give notice by presenting the papers early that they have a chance to review. The concern for me personally would be in terms of how that is done, because some matters are private to the directors of the company. It’s all depends on how they manage their fiduciary responsibility.”
U.D.P. Calls For L.I.U. Audit; L.I.U. Chair Says “My Doors Are Open”
In July, the United Democratic Party called for an independent audit of the Leadership Intervention Unit, citing credible allegations of malfeasance, misappropriation, and misuse of public funds. According to the opposition, checks are allegedly being issued to individuals who have left the country and are seeking asylum in the U.S., as well as to those incarcerated for gang-related activities. They also claim that the L.I.U. is being used to funnel public funds to political operatives. Today, reporters asked L.I.U. Chairperson Dominique Noralez to respond to these allegations. Here’s what she had to say.
Dominque Noralez, Chairperson, L.I.U.
“First, I think it’s important to establish that I am not a politician and so I don’t respond to partisan propaganda. Secondly, always open to an audit, it is the government’s funds, and if it is something that the leader of opposition can galvanize support to request an audit, then by all means, my doors are open, my processes are transparent, and even more efficient now given our transition to Digi Wallet. In fact, all of my employees have been paid since eight fifteen this morning, as opposed to six o’clock in the evening when they get a check. So, I’m always open to an audit. I have no problem with that.”
Reporter
“One of the things that the leader of opposition had said was that there are people who are not even living in Belize. I don’t know where he got that information from, as well as people who may have been dead, who would have still been under the L.I.U. program.”
Dominique Noralez
“Well, in order to be on the leadership intervention unit program and receive any assistance from us, you have to bring in a social security card, which means those people have to be alive. And so, getting this thing about people being dead and getting paid, that is not the kind of ship I run. My list has been renewed about two or three weeks ago, which is why the transition to Digi Wallet is easier now. So, everybody has to have to hand in a social security. That is a part of the accountability mechanisms from the central bank to use these e-wallets. And so there, there is really, there are no complaints to be made. Everyone is alive and everyone is receiving their funds from the L.I.U.”
Reporter
“But before you came on board, what did you find?”
Dominique Noralez
“There were some issues with structure. That has been the first year of my tenure really. Fixing the structural issues and making sure my team is up to par with making sure that we can deliver the services that the cabinet paper that brought the L.I.U. to life in visage. So before there were some structural issues, we’ve since fixed those and we move to the future with renewed vigor.”
Minor’s Statement Did Not Implicate Ryan Mendez
On Thursday night, we reported on the transfer of Corporal Anastacio Uh from San Pedro Town to Belize City on August first, following his involvement in an incident involving alleged police abuse. Corporal Uh took the statement of a fifteen-year-old minor on July seventh after Sergeant Devin Makin was filmed pistol-whipping twenty-two-year-old Ryan Mendez. Makin claimed he acted under the belief that Mendez was armed after allegedly chasing the minor with a firearm. However, the minor’s statement, which News Five has obtained, did not support Makin’s account. The boy stated he saw someone running toward him but couldn’t identify the person or confirm if they were armed. This contradicts Makin’s assertion that the minor reported being chased by an armed individual. The minor explained that he ran to safety at a nearby bar before Sergeant Makin arrived and questioned him. Without solid evidence or identification, police were unable to charge Mendez. We will continue to monitor this developing story.
Belize City Motorists Bypass Traffic Lights, Costing City Revenue
Traffic lights are crucial for controlling traffic flow at busy intersections worldwide, including in Belize. However, many motorists in Belize City frequently bypass these regulations, often due to being in a rush or disregarding the rules. The Belize City Council employs traffic enforcement officers to detect and ticket offenders, but limited resources and equipment mean many violations go unnoticed. This not only undermines traffic safety but also results in lost revenue for the city from fines. News Five’s Paul Lopez investigated the frequency of these violations at the city’s main intersections.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Traffic lights are established to manage the flow of traffic, especially at busy intersections. A total of seven traffic lights are established across Belize City.
Mauricio Gonzalez, Enforcement Manager
“As you guys are seeing. We are moving towards stop lights, parking meters, we just launched the E-Bus. We are trying to establish a safe city. It is not only for motorists. It is for pedestrians for the safety of pedestrians.”
Voice of: George Lucario, Enforcement Coordinator
“It helps because whenever one section is in the red in the other section traffic can flow, so without the lights it would have been more chaos. So, the lights do help, share the traffic in all different directions.”
Mauricio Gonzalez
“The areas where we see strategy stop lights is because we have studies. We have been out there; we have seen traffic congestion, and this is why the city council paved the way to have stop lights at these junctions. A lot of people, a lot of residents don’t know that when the lights is on yellow, speeding is a violation.”
“We do have operations at these lights. It is something we try to do at least three to four times a week. In the mornings we have officers at different lights ensuring that people are following the light system. At the moment we are not equipped to have officers at every stop light, but we try our best to have them at three out of the six, sometimes four out of the six in the morning.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
Animation Boot Camp for Women Heads North
In July, the Ministry of Investment, through its Investment Policy and Compliance Unit, teamed up with the Taiwan Technical Mission and the National Women’s Commission to launch an animation bootcamp for women and teens. That initial opening was held in Belize City to provide the participants with in-person and online training. This is with a view to creating opportunities for them to learn basic digital skills in graphic art and animation to be able to produce short, animated movies and attract employment. The event moved to Orange Walk on Thursday, and News Five’s Marion Ali filed this report.
Marion Ali, Reporting
Thirty women in Orange Walk who have expressed interest in animation and art have an opportunity over the next few days to learn to hone their skills in this area with a view to create their own livelihood by putting their training to work. They are taking part in an animation boot camp at Orange Walk Technical High School. The project is part of the government’s effort to push for an orange economy, using creative assets to contribute to economic activity and growth. Spearheading the six-day training is Jeavon Sanker.
Jeavon Sanker, Trainer, Women’s Animation Bootcamp
“There are huge opportunities for our country’s economic development. I also have friends in other countries that have animation studios, for example, Trinidad, Martinique, Jamaica, and they talk about projects being outsourced to them in the Caribbean from other countries, all the way from America. A lot of times people – and I have worked on a lot of projects as well from people abroad, and they like working with me. Guess why? It’s affordable to them. You see the exchange rate, they love the exchange rate and that doesn’t mean we’re not getting paid good. Yes, we’re getting paid good, but the thing is, we have the opportunity to tap into a market.”
Prime Minister John Briceño
“When you look at the statistics, it is over forty percent of women that are not working. So could you imagine that if you can harness, if you could unleash that power, that talent that you have, those that are staying home because of different reasons – they have to take care of their children, so there’s no daycare centers that you can take your children. But if you could imagine that we could unleash that talent that you have and put it and invest it in the economy, Belize can double its economy in less than ten years. And what you’re doing here with the orange economy and animation and using technology means that in many instances you do not have to leave the home to be able to have a job that can empower you economically. Presently with the call centers there are a number of people that are working from home. Animation could be one of them.”
Lily Li-Wen Hsu, Taiwanese Ambassador to Belize
“I understand this is this series of program has been held in other places of the nation, and it’s already a boom for many, many young women and that interested in animation. So I’m very excited that this program today comes to Orange Walk. This collaborative initiative is between the Taiwan I.C.D.F., the Office of the Prime Minister, and Ministry of Investment, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and the National Women’s Commission. And it is part of our ongoing bilateral Taiwan Belize Women’s Empowerment Project that has been running for more than two and a half years.”
Marion Ali for News Five.
Striving Towards Transparency in Annual S.S.B. Connect
Today, the Social Security Board hosted its annual S.S.B. Connect-Public Forum in Belize City, where stakeholders and members of the board gather to discuss issues and plans for improvement. This year, the S.S.B. is working to strengthen bonds with stakeholders and improve operations to better fit its demographic. News Five’s Britney Gordon has the details.
Deborah Ruiz, C.E.O., S.S.B.
“Our annual Social Security Connect, which is a public forum where we report on the operations activities and the actuarial assessment and review done by the actuary. I think it’s important for transparency because it gives the opportunity for our stakeholders to be aware of what are the challenges, what are the successes, and what are the innovative strategies that would be taken by the board moving forward to further develop a program content and hear from our stakeholders what changes they want to see done to the social security program.”
Britney Gordon, Reporting
The S.S.B. Connect Forum provides an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss any concerns they may have regarding the operations of the Board, but it is also a platform for the SSB to highlight the successes and progress made over the past year. We spoke to the S.S.B.’s outgoing C.E.O., Deborah Ruiz.
“In terms of operations, we will be looking more at, as you indicated, what our online platform is. It’s not going as fast as we would like, because, we’re dealing with a vast forty-two years of data that we have to clean up and make sure that when it’s online, because shortly customers will be able to see their contribution payments. And then we are working on deploying the benefits module. The sickness benefit will be the first one coming online shortly. So persons have the opportunity to file their medical claims online. We will have an employee in the medical portal where the medical providers are able to do the medical certificates online. Full transparency in terms of the process of how long your claim will take from the time you submit it to the time the payment is in your bank account. So that, that is a big change for us from where we started with a manual process.”
The attendance of stakeholders is key to the success of the forum. Director of Education at the National Trade Union Congress of Belize, Trisha Perez, says that the N.T.U.C.B.’s participation underscored the union’s desire to represent and protect workers in Belize.
Trisha Perez, Education Director, N.T.U.C.B.
“We were invited to join in the S.S.B. Connect today. What we’ve been doing over the last few years, we’ve been participating with the social protection floor and to see how best we could increase social protection coverage for all workers in Belize along with the rest of the society.”
Leonora Flowers, President, C.W.U.
“My presence today is to celebrate, of course, the good reviews that S.S.B. is getting. Being from the union, it doesn’t mean that we don’t know that there are very good things happening there. And so we are here. I am here particularly first time at the S.S.B. Connect to celebrate the good reviews that’s happening.”
Britney Gordon for News Five.