PSU Demands Transparency from Social Security Board Over CEO’s Dismissal

The Public Service Union (PSU) is calling on the Social Security Board to provide clarity on its decision to dismiss Dr. Leroy Almendarez as the SSB CEO. This week, the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) wrote to the Board’s Chair expressing deep concerns over the decision. Our newsroom had reported that Dr Almendarez had made queries at the board level which were met with disdain and disapproval. Among those issues was the hiring of a Deputy CEO, which the NUTCB also questioned in its letter. But, in a written response, the Board clarified that the position of Deputy CEO is established by legislation and was properly included in the 2024 budget, approved in December 2023. However, the SSB did not provide any information on its decision to release Dr. Almendarez. President of the PSU Dean Flowers says the unions are now hoping to relay their concerns to the SSB through its representatives on the board. 

Dean Flowers, PSU President: “We will be voicing our concern at the upcoming NTUCB general council meeting in terms of what is our position on that dismissal because I think that the country of Belize and the NTUCB who holds two seats on that board needs to hold the entire board accountable and to get an understanding of what happened and what will be the cost to the Belizean Social Security contributors. I think that heads must roll where the Social Security Board is concerned. I think the allegations that has come forth via the media that they would have employed some person for a post that doesn’t even exist in the act that they would be toying with salaries at the same level or even beyond what the CEO was earning. That they clearly made a misstep in employing the CEO if it is that after five months he would have been dismissed. It would appear that Social Security does not abide by the rules of natural justice and due process in the public service. When you employ somebody, and Social Security is no different, they are quasi-governmental, they have a duty and an obligation to measure, to assess after three months, assess after six months and to point out to the individual where he or she is going wrong. The board should not have the authority to hire and fire as they see fit at the expense of contributors.”

Flowers added that while the union may not get the response it wants, he is encouraging citizens to join a demonstration in Belmopan on Friday planned by the Belize National Teachers Union to hopefully force the government’s hand.

Dean Flowers, PSU President: “Nothing will be done if all the Belizean people do is look at this interview and stay home. The teachers are championing a very important cause on Friday. It is for the Belizeans who feel strongly about this issue who are contributing to that fund who deserve answers. It is for them to take up a placard, show up at the teacher’s demonstration and demand and answer. The government will not act until the people act. The Social Security will not act until the people act. And so it is not for the government to simply force the board to act. It is for the people of Belize who claim, who claim that they are tired, sick and tired of contributing to the Social Security and sick and tired of the type of investments that they are making yet sit home, sit behind a screen, sit, watch these newscast and will not sacrifice a day on Friday to come out with a placard to say, hold the board of the Social Security accountable. We need answers.”

Flowers added there are several other issues he believes are plaguing the board.