The strike by workers at the Hummingbird Citrus Limited two, has been resolved. The Christian Workers Union announced today that the management agreed on Friday to increase the hourly pay rate from $2.00 to $2.25. The contract rate is also being increased to $0.62, an increase of 2 cents. Although the workers had initially asked […]
News Five doesn’t report every missing teenager because more often than not they show up safe and sound after a few days, but there is growing concern over the disappearance of fourteen year old Noemi Hernandez who left home last Tuesday. Tonight the police are issuing an urgent appeal to anyone who may know her […]
If you see a suspicious bag hanging from your fence or door this weekend…RELAX. It’s part of a program called “Scouting for Food”, an annual food drive by the Scout Association of Belize. But for the past five years, they’ve been guided in their efforts by the Girl Guides Association of Belize. Tomorrow, young boys […]
In November, the British Forces Broadcast Service, B.F.B.S. launched a radiothon to raise funds for the British Charity “Wireless for the Blind.” Today, they handed over twenty percent of the money raised to the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired. $5,400 was presented to Joan Musa, B.C.V.I.’s director. Musa says the organization welcomes the assistance […]
Newspaper cartoonists are having a field day making fun of the police and prison officers trying to deal with the numerous escapes, stabbings and even murders at the Hattieville Prison in recent months. But the situation is no laughing matter for the inmates or their families. Many of those incarcerated tell their relatives that they […]
The Stann Creek District has been occupied by foreign soldiers. A base camp has been established just outside Dangriga and supplies continue to arrive daily. But its not an invasion, it’s a mission of peace and the soldiers from fifteen States in the U.S. are not carrying guns but shovels, hammers and stethoscopes. New Horizons […]
Besides the National Health Insurance scheme, the Prime Minister took a few moments this morning to discuss the Guatemala issue. He announced that the Guatemalan Government has agreed to attend a technical level meeting on the 25th of this month. The technical meetings will pave the way for later meetings on the territorial dispute at […]
While the future of citrus appears to be looking up, the situation at at-least one large orange farm is still very much up in the air. Workers at the Hummingbird Citrus Limited II at mile three on the Coastal Road are in their second week of a strike. News Five understands that despite a directive […]
The Public Service Union has expelled its Secretary General because he is running for political office. The PSU says they made the decision because Hubert Enriquez represents public officers, who are banned from political activity and the general membership had not endorsed his candidacy. Enriquez is running as an independent in the upcoming Belmopan City […]
The Challilo Dam. The words conjure up different images for different people. For some, it represents a more efficient way to reduce the cost of electricity. Others envision the flooding of part of the Belizean rainforest. The arguments on both sides are rich in conviction–and emotion–and each claims they have scientific data to back them […]
It ain’t over till it’s over. Workers of the Hummingbird Citrus Limited II, are in their fifth day of a strike and say they won’t go back to the fields until they get want they want: more money. Yesterday, accompanied by their advisors, the Christian Workers Union, the workers marched on Belmopan to show their […]
It was supposed to have been received by all as good news and a positive step towards addressing the issue of a single minimum wage. However, the recent appointment of one of the members of the Wages Council by Valdimar Castillo, minister of Labour is being protested by the Women’s Issues Network. WIN – Belize […]
It’s day three and the employees of Hummingbird Citrus Limited II are still not in the fields. Today, representatives of the company, the workers, and Labor Commissioner Edney Bennett, tried to work something out, but reached a deadlock after several hours of discussion. They have asked the Christian Workers Union to represent them and as […]
Workers of the Hummingbird Citrus Limited II are in their second day of strike. Orlando Guzman, senior foreman for the company, told News Five this afternoon that the employees did not show up for work again today. The workers are asking for a thirty-cent raise per hour but Manager Bertran Faux told us yesterday that […]
We’d all like a couple more dollars on our paychecks every month, but this morning, employees of one company gave their boss an ultimatum…”No raise, no work.” Employees of Hummingbird Citrus Limited say they’re working long hours in deplorable conditions and making very little money. The company’s manager says the workers actually got a pay […]
The Women’s Issues Network of Belize has met with Valdemar Castillo, Minister of Labour to discuss the establishment of a Wages Council to review the current minimum wage structure. Mirlin Halliday, head of the Advocacy Committee says the meeting was part of WIN – Belize’s ongoing campaign to establish a single minimum wage. Mirlin Halliday, […]
Just about everyone in Belize knows someone who abuses drugs. He or she may be a friend, a co-worker or a member of our own family. Drugs affect all sectors of the society, not just the poor. But while efforts in the past have concentrated on prevention programs in the schools and marijuana plantation eradication […]
It’s not the first time there have been reports of houses being built in the middle of the street. But when a young man from the Collect Division came to News Five, not only did he say there was a house being built on Pelican Street Extension, he also claimed that he was told he […]
Last year the Friends of KHMH circulated a letter to the business community asking for donations of everything from cups and coffee machines for the staff to supplies for the doctors. Belizeans have been responding well and this week, Barclays Bank employees donated some much-needed equipment to the maternity ward. The Friends of the KHMH […]
Tonight Channel Five is airing a documentary produced by the Belize Family Life Association called the "Tempting of Shakira". The program addresses the issue of teenage pregnancy, a problem BFLA says is increasing rather than decreasing. With teens accounting for twenty percent of all pregnancies in Belize and the respondents B.F.L.A. decided to create a […]
At the Children’s Summit last year one child asked the government officials on the panel why there were police for tourists but none devoted to protecting the children. Well, the new Family Violence Unit may not exactly be what that child had in mind, but the Police Department says children and their families will be […]
The new Social Security Card and the upcoming National Health Insurance Scheme has been the subject of controversy and public confusion over the past week. In response the Social Security Board issued a statement late this evening saying a new card would have been instituted even if there was no plan for a National Health […]
While the Social Security Board is running advertisements urging all Belizeans to sign up for the new Social Security Card, the Public Service Union is telling its members not to submit their applications until they get more information about the new National Health Insurance Scheme. The Union says it has received complaints from members that […]
Six months after the office of Belize’s first Ombudsman was opened, Paul Rodriguez says he’s had his hands full. While cases of alleged police brutality and complaints against the Ministry of Lands make up a large percentage of his cases, Rodriguez says Belizeans do understand the role of the Ombudsman and they aren’t afraid to […]
Road building equipment for the Toledo District was handed over today at the Gentrac Belize Compound in Ladyville. The Caterpillar wheel loaders, backhoes, tractors, compactors, excavators and other equipment will be divided up into two units to improve existing roads and cut roads into areas such as Consejo Creek, Sunday Wood, San Benito Poite and […]
