CWU Calls Out Government Over Missing Port of Belize Audit Records

One week ago, we told you of the Essential Services Arbitration Tribunal (ESAT) that was reactivated to resolve a longstanding financial issue for stevedores in Belize City.  Today, the use of the tribunal could become null and void as the Christian Workers Union (CWU) is quite upset and is asking the government to stop giving them the runaround.  These sentiments came after the union found out that there are no audit records for the Port of Belize Limited.  It is a situation that not only raises questions for the union, but for the public as well.  On the union’s part, however, it is questioning whether the government is negotiating in good faith as they work on the collective bargaining agreement for the stevedores.  It was during an interview on Friday that the CWU President Leonora Flowers sounded the alarm on the missing financial records.   

Leonora Flowers, President, CWU: “We were told in our meetings after a request, during a request, there are no financials to be had because no audited financials exist. The CEO of the port has said that to us. None exists. So for and on behalf of the people of Belize, the government has managed through the interim board and through the management of the port. They have managed the Port Affairs since the 8th of December 2023 and to date there has been no added financial and there is none for us to get.”

The CWU is now calling on the government, to make a genuine offer to the stevedores, and discontinue working through the tribunal