Effective July first, Belize will assume the role of pro-tem president of the Central American Integration System. SICA, an organization made up of seven neighbouring countries, is designed to promote and coordinate international relations and to protect natural resources. According to Moises Cal, Belize’s Ambassador to Central America, our role for the next six months […]
When we last left the Social Security controversy on Monday evening, union leaders were meeting in Belmopan with the Prime Minister following a morning of mass protest marches in several municipalities. There has been no official communiqué from the participants, but according to the President of the Belize National Teacher’s Union, Anthony Fuentes, that meeting […]
It was not the massive public demonstration the unions were hoping for, but the turnout and conviction of the marchers were still sufficient to keep up the pressure on government to reconsider at least parts of its proposed increases in Social Security contributions. Here’s how it looked this morning in Belize City. Janelle Chanona, Reporting […]
The protests against government organised by the National Trade Union Congress were not confined to the old capital. News 5’s Patrick Jones reports from Orange Walk, where union workers from the Tower Hill sugar factory added to the size–and credibility–of demonstrations in that northern town. Patrick Jones, Reporting Hundreds of demonstrators armed with placards queued […]
He has spent his entire adult life working in virtually every nook and cranny of our system of justice. Today that experience paid off. Jacqueline Woods, Reporting This morning, under the watchful eyes of the legal community and invited guests, former Director of Public Prosecutions, Adolph Lucas was officially sworn in as Justice of the […]
To strike or not to strike. That’s the big topic of discussion at this hour as the management council of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize meets in a closed-door session at B.N.T.U.’s conference room in Belize City. Representatives of member unions that make up the N.T.U.C.B. are laying their respective positions on the […]
If you are a parent confused about whether your children will be going to school next week, don’t feel bad; you’re not alone. Today the President of the Belize National Teachers Union denied press reports that schools would be closed all next week, but declined to say exactly when classes would be held. The B.N.T.U. […]
The Magistrate Courts countrywide are on a go-slow for the next two days, but it does not mean that criminals are free to do as they please. Instead, the men and women who manage the country’s busiest halls of justice are sharpening their knowledge of a new initiative aimed squarely at keeping some of those […]
Last Friday the unions were out in force in Belmopan to make known their opposition to proposed increases in Social Security contributions. But by Monday evening, after labour and government representatives met to negotiate their differences, it appeared that the problem was on its way to resolution. That’s why today’s news was so startling. Despite […]
But the unions–or at least certain elements of the leadership–are sticking to their guns, refusing to back down from their opposition to the proposed increases. This afternoon, General Secretary of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize, George Frazer, told us that members feel this extreme move was absolutely necessary…while at the same time admitting […]
It’s a practice the Fire Department conducts regularly, and while supposedly surprise fire drills are seldom surprising to those involved, they still serve an important purpose. Today I followed the trucks to the scene of the latest mock blaze. Janelle Chanona, Reporting It began with a piercing siren that sent employees rushing to their safety […]
In the continuing saga of those proposed changes in Social Security, a meeting was held on Monday between union representatives and Finance Minister Ralph Fonseca. According to a government press release, and corroborated by a union spokesman, both sides agreed to consult separately on the three major facets of the proposed package. That is the […]
It’s a big job and today the people who will be responsible for keeping our elections free and fair were given their official appointments. This afternoon the press got a chance to ask them some pointed questions about ballots and boundaries. Janelle Chanona, Reporting This afternoon swearing in ceremonies were held in Belize City officially […]
It’s an important document and now the Belize driver’s license is going high tech. News 5’s Jacqueline Woods brought in her old beat up ID and–just like magic–emerged with a bright and shiny new one. Jacqueline Woods, Reporting The problem of fake licenses both at home and abroad has prompted the Belize Traffic Department to […]
If there was a theme to today’s meeting of the House of Representatives, it could be called “short notice”. Those words described both the introduction of massive new changes in the Social Security system as well as the large-scale protest organised by the labour unions. News 5’s Janelle Chanona reports from Belmopan. Janelle Chanona, Reporting […]
While most of the fireworks exploding in Belmopan today were aimed at the Social Security Bill, it was another piece of legislation–debated late in the afternoon–that may have more important long-term ramifications. The Macal River Hydroelectric Development Bill attempts to speed up the construction of the Chalillo Dam. Ground was officially broken on the controversial […]
On Sunday many Belizean men will enjoy the fruits of Father’s Day. But for one select group of dads–and moms–the occasion arrived a few days early. Jacqueline Woods reports. Jacqueline Woods, Reporting It may be Friday the thirteenth, but for the homeless of Belize City, the day held some good fortune. The men and women […]
It is known as an oasis of calm and comfortable first world ambiance in what is an otherwise rough and tumble third world city. But in its brief history, the tourism village has been the scene of several dramatic moments…and today was no exception. News 5’s Jacqueline Woods reports. Jacqueline Woods, Reporting This morning tempers […]
It is expected to be the hot topic on the table at tomorrow’s sitting of the House of Representatives: the proposed amendments to the Social Security scheme. The sticking point of the bill has been the intention of the Social Security Board to increase payroll deductions made by both employees and employers. According to the […]
We thought that with the onset of the rainy season and the solving of problems in Mexico, Belize’s supply and distribution of energy was back on track. Perhaps it is…but not for everyone. Today News 5’s Jacqueline Woods headed up the Western Highway to observe life on the infamous feeder number eight. Juanita Avilez, Resident, […]
With a twenty-two to seven majority in the House of Representatives, the passage of proposed legislation on the nation’s social security system is not in doubt. But today, in anticipation of Friday’s House sitting, Belize’s usually tame labour movement launched a pre-emptive strike aimed squarely to derail government’s plans. This morning at a Belize City […]
It is difficult to be over prepared for disasters, and that’s why–at the start of hurricane season–those who must manage Belize’s emergency management efforts are taking no chances. Jacqueline Woods has more. Jacqueline Woods, Reporting How well prepared are Caribbean countries to deal with natural and technical disasters? That’s the question being examined at a […]
Getting a job, particularly one you like, is not always an easy task. So why did one employee of the Port Authority allow himself to be fired, just because of his hairstyle? We’ll let him tell it. Frank Aviella, Terminated from Belize Ports Authority “It’s kind of bias you know. I say probably…I noh put […]
It has always been a touchy subject, but if the city of Belize is ever going to clean up its act, the derelict buildings will have to go. News 5’s Patrick Jones reports on just what is involved in the process. Patrick Jones, Reporting According to the Belize City Council, the decision to put a […]
It was a crime that shocked the nation…and today News 5’s Jacqueline Woods checked in on a pair of lucky Dangrigans for whom, miraculously, life goes on. Daniel Flores “Daddy, wake up.” Jacqueline Woods, Reporting Twelve-year-old Daniel Flores urging his eighty-eight year old grandfather, Solomon Augustus Pike, to open his eyes and get well. One […]
