PM Briceno Responds to Stevedores’ Demands: Christian Workers Union Seeks Compensation for Bulk Sugar Move

And PM Briceno also responded to the Christian Workers Union’s demand for a 4.9-million-dollar redundancy package for wages lost in the move of bulk sugar south. The union, which represents the stevedores, says it was awarded compensation from the Essential Services Arbitration Tribunal (ESAT) and needs to be paid by the port’s new owners. PM Briceno commented on the matter today but says it is more an issue for the port’s new interim board. 

Hon. John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “That’s something I’d rather not comment on at this time. I think I want to give an opportunity to the board and to the new management team to take a look at and we need to remind everybody that it is our government that gave the stevedores $1.5 million dollars because we felt that they have been mistreated and so they should also take that into consideration. As to what they should get well that’s something for the board to decide, I don’t think I want to make any pronouncements. Let them deal with that matter.”

The union has stated that it is willing to work with GOB to resolve the situation amicably.