Water company defends layoffs

Ever since it purchased the assets of the Belize Water and Sewerage Authority, Belize Water Services Limited has promised to make the water company more productive. Though it plans to invest fifteen million dollars for the expansion of the Double Run Treatment Plant and pipeline to Belize City, being efficient also means getting more from the work force. Omar Silva, Public Relations Officer for B.W.S.L. explained why thirty-two of it’s three hundred plus employees have recently received their pink slips.

Omar Silva, Public Relations Officer, B.W.S.L.

“There is a new management here at the helm of B.W.S.L. and they are reorganising the whole structure of the company, how it functions. They’re trying to get more efficiency so to speak and yes, unfortunately we sent out a letter to everybody a few weeks ago and if you wished you could volunteer to retire your services and they would have paid you what the law requires plus an extra amount. Twelve people took the offer and twelve more were made redundant two weeks after. And yes, we are confirming that there is a total of thirty-two people so far that’s been redundant.”

Jose Sanchez

“So how will employees know that their jobs are secure?”

Omar Silva

“Well everybody feels secure here. The thing is it’s going through a period where everybody is restructuring and everybody is getting responsibilities. I believe if you are carrying out your responsibilities you won’t have to have that fear at all.”

The WASA Workers Union has taken issue with the firings and is said to be contemplating industrial action against the company.