Dozens of criminally accused persons and their associates pass through there every day - but, this morning, the courthouse building in Belize City was left un-secured for at least two hours after SOS security Guards reportedly staged a sick-out, or a walk off.
At the courthouse, 6 of the assigned guards reportedly did not show up - reportedly forcing SOS Security to scramble to activate 5 former staffers to get guards to man the abandoned posts.
The dispute is allegedly over wages - the workers say that their pay for a month's work is now 3 days late - so they went on a go-slow.
SOS Guards provide services for the Government between the Belize City Magistrate's Court, Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, DPP office, Belize Family Court and Legal Aid.
Posts that were affected at 8:00 this morning include the Belize City Magistrate's Court area, the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, Legal Aid and the Belize Family Court.
But, by 10:30 am guards were deployed to these areas - and latest reports are that the workers are to be paid in full this evening.
When we contacted SOS Security for comment, however, the rep denied all reports of any sort of walk-off, sick-out, or go-slow. He insisted that all guards were at their posts today and there is no issue with their wages. He declined to give any further comment, or to state his name or post.
