7 News Belize

Wrongful Termination Injunction Request Coming Up Tomorrow
posted (July 23, 2020)

And while the port remains immobilized by that downgrade in its security rating, it will have to mobilise to go back to the Supreme Court tomorrow.

At 10:00 am, Justice Sonya Young is expected to deliver a ruling on whether or not she will grant an injunction against the Port of Belize.

As we told you yesterday, the Attorney General's Ministry applied to the Supreme Court for this relief on behalf of the Labour Department. The Government is attempting to ensure that the purported lay-offs of those 36 Port employees can presumably be reversed.

The Labour Department stresses that in cases of proposed lay-offs for redundancy, the employer has an obligation to give 1 month's notice to the Labour Commissioner and the Union. They are insisting that the Port did not do this, and so, from their perspective, the lay-offs are null and should be reversed.

The Port says that it fully complied with the Labour laws.

Today, we got perspective on that from the Presidents of the Christian Workers Union, and the National Trade Union Congress of Belize, who showed up at the Port for lunchtime solidarity.

They said they support the ministry:

Marvin Mora - President, NTUCB

"Honestly, our hope is that it's not that late, that there is still room for some progress in that front. We believe that given the position and the actions taken by the Labour Department in this regard, it's a plus for the movement. It's a plus for the brothers here at the PBL, and we believe that it can have a significant impact."

Evan "Mose" Hyde - President, CWU

"There are so many outstanding matters to deal with. That represents a government effort that I can't knock. We would hope that it's successful. We joined as an interested party."

Reporter

"You all have been critical of the process, or at least the efforts from the Labour Department, the Labour Ministry. What are your thoughts that they at least went to court to try to come to the workers' aid?"

Marvin Mora

"Well, we are thankful that they took that extra step because honestly, there were some mistakes made along the way. Mainly, I think that the letter that they sent to the Port of Belize Limited did not really encompass the enormity and the gravity of the situation. Mainly, they specified the issue of the 10%, and I think that probably, there was some oversight, because that letter should have encompassed all the different issues that are affecting the workers, and that are bringing the industrial relations to this sort of an uneasy climate between the two parties involved."

Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize