He was once Belize's biggest banana farmer, but John Zabaneh was forced out of that industry after the US government slapped a "Kingpin" designation on him.
Zabaneh was forced to exit bananas - and then re-invented himself as a citrus farmer. But, now he says his fruit are rotting in the field because the immigration department has snatched up all his workers.
But, the truth is, Zabaneh is again in the crosshairs of authorities - being investigated for possible human trafficking and child labor practices.
On Saturday night, 38 of his migrant farm employees - almost all from Guatemala - who were in a bus - were detained by police - who allege that they had no immigration documents.
And this morning at 5:00 am, authorities conducted a raid at his farm and took in all the workers.
We stress that Zabaneh says that in the first bust - children were there - who were just brought in by their older relatives in the weekend. He denies any use of child labor or any human traffic violations. He says all his workers met regular immigration requirements.
But, right now he says no one wants to come work for him because they are afraid - and he can't get his fruits picked.
Well, it seems he can't expect sympathy form the government based on a statement that the minister of immigration Eamon Courtenay shared today at the opening of the Expo in Spanish Lookout:
Hon. Eamon Courtenay - Minister of Immigration
"I want to comment briefly on one aspect of immigration, specifically as it relates to the agricultural sector, the government of Belize believes pure and simple that Belizeans should be offered employment before foreigners, pure and simple. We also recognize that they are instances where it is necessary to welcome foreign workers, well ladies and gentlemen we have problems. The number of migrants flowing through Central America is at an all time high, many migrants are illegally entering Belize seeking temporary employment and being employed before they make their way north wards. In the first quarter of 2022 alone, we found and apprehended more than 50 persons and we know that the number of persons who we do not catch is far bigger than 50. We see the same hotels, the same guest houses, the same taxi men, the same bus owners providing comfort to these people. Migration flows are a serious problem for Belize and it requires a measured and targeted response. We also have business people regrettably who actively recruit workers from Central America to work in the agricultural sector. Many of them do not meet the immigration entry requirements. Many of these migrants are then kept in sub human conditions and paid scandalously low wages. We have an increase in the number of child labor, under aged children who should be in school are toiling in fields for a pittance that the government of Belize will not tolerate this much longer. We will fight child labor, we will fight human trafficking, and we will fight for a living wage for all lawful workers. I am appealing to employers in the agricultural sector to work with us to ensure that we do not get sanctioned because of poor migration and labor practices."
That was a speech given by Courtenay of which we only got an audio recording.
We'll have more on this story tomorrow.
