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Ministry of Agriculture and Taiwan ICDF Sheep Project Holds Culinary Craft Workshop

You may be seeing two additional meat options added to menus soon. At least, that’s the goal of the Ministry of Agriculture. In collaboration with the Taiwan I.C.D.F. Sheep Project Phase II, the Ministry held a “Lamb and Mutton Culinary Craft Workshop” in Yo Creek Village, Orange Walk. Today’s workshop was organized in an effort […]

Wheel of Justice Disrupted, but Judiciary Staff are Critical

Chief Magistrate Sharon Fraser illustrates that actions like these disrupt the administration of justice but also demonstrate the critical function of the support staff of the judiciary. And without them, the courts would be unable to fulfill their duties.   Sharon Fraser, Chief Magistrate “You would have had persons who would have come; maybe today […]

Belize City Magistrate’s Court Closes after Employees Call in Sick

This morning the Joint Union Negotiating Team and the Government met to discuss the pending issues raised by the unions at their press conference last week. Viewers will recall that the unions set an ominous ultimatum to restore increments by April first or else… The looming threat is that if the union’s demands aren’t met, […]

Sickout by Public Officers on Day of G.O.B./JUNT Meeting?

The sick out was not only at the Magistrates Court; our newsroom received reports came from other government departments, including the Treasury Department, which caused services to be temporarily delayed as replacements had to be found for the absentees. When the media caught up with the President of the Public Service Union, Dean Flowers, he […]

The Impact on Delivery of Government Services

Minister of Public Service, Henry Charles Usher told the media today that as a government, they have to respect the right of public officers to express themselves as union members. But, he adds, the action taken by public officers today to call in sick has real effects on the delivery of service by these departments. […]

JUNT/G.O.B. Meeting was a Cordial Discussion, Not Negotiation

And while public officers were calling in sick, their union leaders and members of the Joint Union Negotiating Team met with government ministers inside the Marion Jones Sporting Complex conference room. The closed-door meeting was to discuss the three main issues of contention: increments, pension reform, and the collective bargaining agreement. Acting Prime Minister Cordel […]

JUNT Says It Won’t Be Fooled by G.O.B. Again

And while it may be interpreted as a kumbaya session, P.S.U. President Dean Flowers, who spoke on behalf of the Joint Unions’ Negotiating Team, says that they won’t be fooled again by G.O.B. Flowers references the negotiations of 2021, which ended with the government freezing their increments and cutting their salaries by ten percent. He […]

P.S.U. Prez: PM’s Transport Allowance is Unjustifiable

The Prime Minister’s vehicle allowance came up in today’s discussion. The President of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize has stated that the Prime Minister needs to justify the increase in his transport allowance of four thousand dollars monthly. The PM has responded by saying he is using his personal vehicle and did not […]

Police Investigation into Death of Man Continues; Neighbours Say He Was Their Runman

On Monday, we reported that police were investigating the death of a man found dead inside his home in Belize City. The deceased, Richard Thurton, was found inside the house at the corner of Penn Road and Fairweather Street dead. A post-mortem examination revealed that he died from blunt force trauma, and police indicated that they observed […]

K.H.M.H. Employees Show Up to Work Dressed in Shorts and T-shirts

There’s contention again at Belize’s only referral hospital after a significant number of their employees wore short pants and union T-shirts today as a protest. Their gripe spans several months – they say they continue to work with acute shortages of supplies, equipment, and manpower. News Five’s Marion Ali gets all sides to this story […]

Minister of Health and Wellness Weighs in on K.H.M.H Dilemma

The Minister of Health and Wellness, Kevin Bernard, said that he took a team to listen to the concerns of the K.H.M.H. Workers’ Union. He said that they have found a way to resolve those issues. He explained to our colleagues at C.T.V Three in Orange Walk in Corozal earlier today that there is no […]

Minister of Transports Explains Transport Board’s Decision on Ritchie’s Bus Line

On Tuesday, News Five’s Paul Lopez took us on a ride along to Belmopan to show the passenger experience using Belize’s public transportation system. It was an essential perspective given the public debate over bus permits and runs. You may recall that Ritchie’s Bus Line made headlines over the last week after the Transport Board […]

Minister Ferguson Clears Up Rumors of Shares in Floralia Bus Line

And while Richie’s Bus Line is out, Floralia Bus Line has been given the green light to fill the gap left by Richie’s absence. Floralia Bus Line will now operate the route from Placencia Village. Minister Ferguson praised the industry’s newcomers for their service quality while refuting claims that he has shares in the company. […]

President of Belize Bus Association Says Transport Board Is Being ‘Unfair” to Ritchie’s Bus Line

The President of the Belize Bus Association, Thomas Shaw, sits on the Transport Board that approved the cancellation of Ritchie’s permit. Shaw sits on the board as a representative for the bus operators. He told us over the phone that he sought to intervene on Ritchie’s behalf during a recent board meeting when he learned […]

Commitment to Resolve Belize’s Public Transport Issues By 2024

In our story on Tuesday night, we showed the daily challenges commuters using public transportation face. The report covered several issues that need addressing, from overcrowding to uncomfortable seating and deteriorating structural conditions. And as many of our social media followers pointed out – that wasn’t even the peak hour or the worse it could […]

Bus Operators Are Aware that “Commuters Deserve Better” Says President of Belize Bus Association

As for the President of the Belize Bus Association, Thomas Shaw, he says all bus operators know that commuters deserve better than what is currently being offered in the public transport industry. He, however, argues that upgrading fleets is a costly endeavour. And as it stands right now, operators are struggling to make ends meet. […]

What’s the Update on Pension Reform?

On Wednesday, the Joint Union Negotiating Team and the Government’s Negotiating team will meet to discuss the latest concerns and demands made by the unions. The unions have set a deadline to unfreeze increments by April first or else. But another complex issue that will be discussed is pension reform. The unions are in agreement […]

I.M.F. Representatives in Belize for Article Four Consultation

Representatives from the International Monetary Fund, I.M.F, have been in Belize since the end of last week conducting consultations for their review. The representatives wrapped up their visit today. News Five asked the Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance how the consultation went.   Chris Coye, Minister of State, Finance “I think it’s […]

How Does the I.M.F See Lifting the Increment Freeze?

Over the years, the I.M.F. report has flagged Belize’s burdensome wage bill. In the past years, the I.M.F. has consistently recommended reducing the public sector wage bill, i.e., retrenchment. The Briceño administration decided to undertake its own cost-saving measures, which included, among other measures – the freezing of increments. So we asked Minister Coye if […]

Government and Union Reps to Meet on Wednesday over Increments

While Coye said the I.M.F had nothing to say about public officers’ increments, we asked him what the government’s position is on the matter since the unions have given an ultimatum. He said there’s a meeting with the unions shortly.   Chris Coye, Minister of State, Finance “I believe that governments union consultation team will […]

Ride Along With Us on the Six O’clock Express Bus, From Belize City to Belmopan

For Belizeans who rely on public transportation for their daily commute, they will find the following story all too familiar. Recently, the conversation about improving public transport in Belize has been at the fore. Commuters have used the mediums available to them to express their discontent, while the Government of Belize is undertaking a process […]

Belize’s First National Anti-Money Laundering Committee Conference Opens

Belize’s National Anti-Money Laundering Committee hosted its first-ever Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism, AM.L. C.F.T. conference. The two-day event aims to engage people from the public and private sectors who deal with significant amounts of money, compliance officers, and regulatory and supervisory authorities on the risks identified in Belize’s last Money Laundering […]

Retraining Police Officers on Dealing with Mental Health Persons

Two weeks ago, we reported to you about the death of a San Pedro resident, who it is believed was suffering from a mental health condition. The details of how she was restrained with chains and padlocks later led to her demise, and she died from positional asphyxia. Multiple attempts were made to get medical […]

Fall in Love with Your Catholic School Walkathon 2023

Today, thousands of students, teachers, and the leadership of Catholic schools across the country participated in the “Fall in Love with Your Catholic School” walkathon. The Catholic School management organized the fundraising activity as part of its effort to continue providing quality education to the young population. News Five’s Duane Moody caught up with the […]

Catholic School Walkathon in Belmopan

As we mentioned, the Little Lighthouse Walk was being held countrywide. This morning in Belmopan, the students and teachers proudly paraded around the city to show their love for their catholic school. Paul Lopez reports.   Paul Lopez, Reporting Students and teachers of the Our Lady of Guadalupe R.C. Primary School in Belmopan took to […]