But while the mood was celebratory last night, SSB has seen a massive drop in their contributions due to COVID. While they were able to offset some of the shortfalls, there's still a long way to go before they can get to where they were pre-COVID. Because of this, they are hoping for the 1% increase in contribution rate that had been deferred to come into effect next year.
Deborah Ruiz, Acting CEO, SSB
"In terms of COVID we have see a significant drop in the number of persons who actively contribute, we count an active contributor as somebody who has contributed at least one contribution in the year and that number has significantly dropped, we're still waiting our final audited report but we estimated a loss of about 20 million dollars in contribution, that's a dip in the number of contribution. We did have thankfully a significant investment return so we're more or less back to where we were, not pre COVID, but we have kind of offset. But we did lose significant contribution."
"That is why I had mentioned that we anticipate of a figure of 109 million dollars last year, prior to 2020 we were around 110. But again to you have to recognize that we have seen the deferral of the 1% contribution rate, we're hopeful that could come back in place in 2022 and then we should go back."
COVID Payouts Costing SSB
But during the pandemic, SSB has also been paying out those who were affected by COVID. The acting CEO, Deborah Ruiz, explained that they had gone an extra mile to ensure coverage even for those who lost their jobs.
Deborah Ruiz, Acting CEO, SSB
"In terms of claims, we are almost where we were, we had 45,000 claims processed in 2020 and we normally average around 54,000 per year, we did notice a drop in the number of persons who claimed under the normal three days, the goma days, we say that those were not being claimed simply because people were working from home but SSB did facilitate for those who were quarantined or who had a diagnosis of COVID. They were insured, in fact the board has gone so far as to make a contribution make a regulation from 2020 facilitating for a 3 month period, those people who were sick but were unemployed, that they were still covered, so it was a thing that unfortunately is not longer in place now but yes we did cover those."
Public Officers' Work Week Reduced By Rotation
And while SSB assisted those who lost their jobs, public officers still employed will be able to enjoy less hours in their work week - at the cost of 10% of their salary.
A reduced work week was part of the compensation package that the government had presented to the unions - one hour less each day to make up for the 10% salary cut.
A circular memo from the government has indicated that this reduced work week won't come into effect until June 14th. During this time, rotation schedules will be prepared by respective ministries and departments to accommodate the five hour cut since the opening hours of the offices remain the same. Continuous service during lunch remains in effect.
The Legend Of the "Flowers Bank Negroes" Lives On
William Croft, Cecil Flowers, William Pinder, David Dawson, William Flowers, Willam Scott, George Rhaburn, John Dawson, George Grant, Joseph Smith, Thomas Roberson, Adam Flowers, James Hercules, and Joseph Tony. You may not know any of these names but the historical legend says 14 men, 12 of them black, make up the Flowers Bank 14, the men who in 1797 titled the decision to stay and fight for the settlement that would one day become Belize instead of fleeing to the Mosquito Coast. Setting the stage for the battle of St. George's Caye on September the 10th 1798.
And ahead of that date, they paddled their dories from Flowers Bank and villages along the Belize River Valley to cast their historical no vote in Belize town.
It's trumpeted one of those defining moments in history, a moment without which none of what followed could have been possible. And no more is their contribution more reverently membered than in the Belize River valley where many of their descendants remain to this day. Director of NICH's Institute of social and Cultural Research Nigel Encalada attended a commemorative ceremony today and gave his remarks about the men without whom there'd be no Belize.
Recological Reacts
Last week Friday in the House, Ports Minister Rodwell Ferguson, brought a surprising motion to the House.
It was called the Motion to Consider the Approval by the National Assembly of the Disposition of the Commerce Bight Port to Recological Systems Limited, 2021.
In a press release sent yesterday, the Recological's managing director says, quote, "RSL and our legal team still remain baffled as to the events that unfolded in the House… There were no grounds under the Finance and [Audit] Reform Act that would require for the lease to be taken to the National Assembly… The continuous references made towards the "2 days before Election" claim is completely baseless as it was beyond RSL's control… There were numerous delays encountered on the part of GOB…End quote.
And then the company goes on to suggest that they may bring a legal challenge against this parliamentary motion to cancel their lease.
Their press release says, quote, "...We have a valid and legally binding lease and rental agreement to develop and manage the Commerce Bight Port and will pursue all options to ensure that our rights are respected and honored… We respectfully urge the government to honor the lease and rental agreement... and we remain open to engaging them on a beneficial path moving forward." End quote.
