Treasury Workers Shut Down Operations to Protest Planned Move

There’s also unrest among government employees at the Treasury Department, located within the Central Bank of Belize. Since this morning, News Five can confirm that the employees have been on a go-slow with a threat of further action by next week. This morning, a meeting was held with Financial Secretary Joseph Waight and Treasury officials. At the center of the dispute is the pending transfer of the department to the Benny’s building on Regent Street. The employees told News Five that the building is not considered suitable for the work of the department. This morning, the department did not function because the staff did not even turn on their computers and by midday they were out of the building. When we contacted the Public Service Union rep Ray Davis today, he said that he was unaware of the situation. Late this evening, the Central Bank issued a statement saying that it is assisting the Government in relocating the Treasury Department due to the expanding role and responsibilities of the bank, which means they need more floor space to accommodate an increased work force. We have also learnt that payroll for teachers were not processed as a result of the go-slow, so teachers at many branches will spend the extended holiday without their salary.