Guards who work for the company named Security Oriented Services - put out an S.O.S long ago when they staged sick outs from their post at the courthouse, demanding to be paid wages they are owed.
Well, apparently, it didn't have the desired effect, so 12 former SOS employees today filed civil suit in the magistrate's court against their former boss at SOS, Paul Garcia.
Allison Clare is one of the claimants and the 71 year old says the company owes him over $5,000 dollars in back pay:
Allison Clare, Former SOS Worker
"They haven't paid us from December 16th and they keep telling us they're going to pay, every week they say they are going to pay us and they haven't paid us up to now. They are in debt with me about $5,000."
Reporter
"Did you at any point before coming here today, were you able to speak to the managers to say let's come to the table?"
Allison Clare, Former SOS Worker
"No ma'am. They are not in the office, the office is closed and you cant get in touch with them, because sometimes when you call they don't answer the phone."
Reporter
"Do you think that this action you're taking today was your last resort?"
Allison Clare, Former SOS Worker
"Yes ma'am."
As we understand it, SOS's three year contract to secure the court house ended today and, as a consequence no security guard was posted, forcing the court to assign a police officer to the post. The same had to be done in January when workers who had not been paid staged a sickout.
The company has been experiencing financial difficulties for some time. They are also in debt to the Belize Social Security Board for thousands of dollars.
