B.M.L. workers continue to march in front of City Hall

The hardship facing the one hundred and fifty plus families of Belize Maintenance Limited Workers who have been sent home is becoming dismal. Some of the women claim that they are being threatened with eviction, though they don’t even have money to buy food to eat. The few dollars they received recently were used to pay mounting debts, and several children have been taken out of school because the parents simply can’t afford it. At the onset of the protest last week, the cries were directed at the Mayor to find the funds to pay B.M.L the debt of two point seven million dollars. She has now been charged with criminal offences and is on maternity leave. But today the anger was directed at Finance Minister and Prime Minister Dean Barrow to solve the problem. While in front of City Hall today, the protestors were given moral support from the Christian Workers Union.

Joe Lawrence, Operations Manager, B.M.L.
“We’re appealing to central government to the prime minister to step in and try to help and alleviate this terrible situation. We have hundreds of families suffering because of this disaster you know. And I think everybody knows by now, it’s only the prime minister that could really help out.”

Duane Moody
“There is no kind of response as to the paying of the debt and what is owing to B.M.L. by the City Council any at all?”

Joe Lawrence
“Well so far I haven’t heard anything positive you know, but I think we are all Belizeans and we are all citizens—it is not just a City Council thing now. This thing is too big for City Council.”

Duane Moody
“Some people are saying it’s only a political thing now. Do you believe that?”

Joe Lawrence
“I don’t think so. There will be people who will come around and try to take advantage of the situation. But basically we have some very angry, hungry workers with bills to pay, with children to feed.”