On August 10th, we reported that 90 hourly paid workers would be slashed from the Belize Sugar Industries workforce. This figure Represents 25% of the factory workforce. Their labor representative, the Belize Workers Union has sent proposals to management to avoid the firings, but they are still in negotiation. Three other unions chimed in today to add pressure on BSI.
A joint release from the Belize Water Services Workers Union, Belize Communication Workers Union and the Belize Energy Workers Union called on BSI and the BWU to agree on alternatives to deal with the industry's present financial situation. The release states that the firing of 124 employees from the factory should be a last resort.
While we originally reported that 90 workers would be terminated this release points to 34 more added to that. This figure was confirmed today by President of the BWU Senator Rene Gomez who says that proposals from BSI are that 90 will be fired in October and by the end of the crop year in June of next year the others will be terminated. Gomez says his union will be meeting with the Managing Director of BSI Jose Montalvo tomorrow afternoon.