In terms of global labour standards, Nepalese labour is considered among the cheapest in the world. So when you see them striking, you know something's up! And that's just what we found when we visited the construction site for the Vaca Falls Dam today. The dam is part of BECOL's network of hydro facilities along the Macal River. Construction has started and close to 200 men - comprising a mix of Belizeans and Nepalese have been taken on. But today they called 7NEWS in because they've gone on strike to protest low wages.
Workers report to us that 150 labourers Belizeans and Nepalese are on strike in protest of wages that are too low. While BECOL says that only 50 are on strike - when we visited late this afternoon, we did see only a small number working on the site. Best information to us is that Nepalese get paid 55 to 65 cents an hour and Belizeans get $3 an hour. Both want more and Benque Viejo worker Alfredo Thompson explains the hazards of the job and why they won't return to work until their needs are met.
Alfredo Thompson, On Strike
"Different people like the mechanic, drivers, welders, laborers, supervisors, carpenters, who are getting low pay."
Alfonso Noble,
Like what is the minimum payment?
Alfredo Thompson,
"Labor is getting $3 and they are in water whole day for $3 an hour. I think that is not fair. The welders get $3 an hour to weld and I think that is not fair. The drivers get $3.60 an hour which I think is not fair. We got excavator-man and bulldozer-man who get $4 an hour which I think is not fair. We got the carpenters who get $3 an hour and I think that is not fair - they are all men with skills. So I believe we need to make something happen or else if we don't get satisfaction, we are looking to stop work because we need a little raise. Yesterday we met with the Chiney and the balley from BECOL and they told us this morning we would get an answer. We came in this morning and they still haven't given us an answer. All they say is that if we want we can go and collect our checks because from yesterday they collected our time sheets. When we go to collect our checks they don't want to give us our checks. We stood up out here and the policemen came and harassed us because we were in there and they told us to move and we came out here and they still harassed us. We went way to a gentleman's house in the back there where we usually eat who sells food."
Alfonso Noble,
How many workers are you talking about? How many people?
Alfredo Thompson,
"Right now we have 150 workers on strike because some already gone because I told you three got desperate and they went out because we've been here from morning."
The contractor is Sino-Hydro, a mainland Chinese company which also built the Chalillo Dam. The manager refused to comment. But a BECOL spokesperson said the company is aware of the situation and BECOL continues to and will continue to ask the contractor to apply to all labour laws. The spokesperson added that the contractors and the workers were in a meeting with BECOL this afternoon but the outcome of that meeting is not known yet.
