The Public Service Union (PSU) has officially declared a trade dispute with the Government of Belize, citing concerns over the proposed transformation of the Belize Tax Services Department (BTSD) into a semi-autonomous entity called the Semi-Autonomous Revenue Authority (SARA). PSU President Dean Flowers announced the decision following a union meeting, stating that the Minister of Labor would be given a 21-day notice of the union’s intent to initiate industrial action. Flowers emphasized that industrial action could escalate to strikes if the dispute remains unresolved. The union’s primary grievance revolves around what it perceives as a lack of consultation and transparency in the transition process. Flowers stressed that the BTSD is a public institution, and the government has a responsibility to engage in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders. Additionally, Flowers disputed claims that BTSD staff support the move to SARA, citing a survey that revealed widespread dissatisfaction among employees and the Belizean public. The PSU’s declaration underscores growing tensions over the proposed reforms and raises the possibility of significant disruptions in public services.
作者： admin
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Huisartsen ontvangen voor het eerst in jaren tijdig hun honorarium
For the first time in years, general practitioners (GPs) in the Netherlands have received their fees before the end of the month, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to improve the healthcare system. This development has been met with widespread satisfaction among GPs, who view it as a positive signal of progress. Dr. Joël Mahabier, a prominent GP, described the timely payment as a “light at the end of the tunnel” for his profession. “After years of waiting, pleading, and sometimes threatening action, we have finally been paid on time. This gives us hope that structural changes are on the horizon,” he stated. Dr. Mahabier emphasized that the prompt payment is not only a financial relief but also a recognition of the critical work GPs perform daily under often challenging conditions. “We are on the frontline of healthcare, and it is heartening to see attention being paid to our situation,” he added. He expressed gratitude to the new director of the State Health Fund (SZF), Rudra Oemraw, for the efficient handling of payments, and to President Jennifer Simons for her involvement in addressing the financial backlog. This step is expected to strengthen the trust between GPs and the government. “If this becomes a regular practice, we can finally focus entirely on our patients without the constant worry about payments,” Dr. Mahabier concluded optimistically.
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The Secret Fight for Hangar, and Why Every Belizean Should Care
In a startling development in Belize City, the removal of concrete barricades at Hangar has unveiled a deeper, more contentious issue: the potential privatization of a cherished public seafront. Over the weekend, the Belize City Council discreetly dismantled the barriers that had blocked access to this popular area for two months. This action occurred just days before a court hearing that could have compelled the Council to address allegations of unlawful road closure.
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STATEMENT: CARPHA stands in solidarity with the people of Jamaica following the impact of Hurricane Melissa
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s catastrophic impact on Jamaica, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has pledged unwavering support to the nation’s recovery efforts. The hurricane has left a trail of devastation, claiming lives, destroying homes, and disrupting livelihoods, while also posing significant public health risks. CARPHA, the regional public health arm of CARICOM, has reaffirmed its commitment to unity, compassion, and collective action, emphasizing that Jamaica’s plight is a shared concern for the entire Caribbean region.
The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa has introduced a host of public health challenges, including the spread of waterborne and vector-borne diseases, sanitation issues, mental health stressors, and disruptions to essential health services. Recognizing these threats, CARPHA is spearheading a coordinated response through the CARICOM-approved Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM). The agency is collaborating closely with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), Jamaica’s Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOH), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and other regional and international partners to address these pressing needs.
CARPHA’s immediate actions include the provision of critical public health supplies such as rapid testing kits for infectious diseases, medical and personal protective equipment (PPE), and field hospital supplies to mitigate disease outbreaks like dengue, leptospirosis, and gastroenteritis. The agency is also working to ensure that public health remains a central focus in recovery and humanitarian efforts.
Beyond the immediate crisis, CARPHA is committed to supporting Jamaica in strengthening its health security systems, enhancing disaster preparedness, and fostering community resilience. The agency emphasizes the importance of listening to and amplifying the voices of local communities, health workers, and authorities to ensure that interventions are tailored to meet urgent needs.
CARPHA’s solidarity with Jamaica is not merely symbolic but rooted in sustained partnership and actionable support. The agency’s efforts underscore the Caribbean’s resilience and unity in the face of adversity. Together, CARPHA and its partners are dedicated to rebuilding stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities in Jamaica.
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Belizeans Preparing for Tighter Budgets
Belizeans are increasingly cautious about their spending habits as economic uncertainty looms, according to the latest Consumer Confidence Index released by the Statistical Institute of Belize. The national confidence score for September 2025 dropped to 45.7, down from 46.8 in August, reflecting growing financial apprehension among the population. This decline signals that more households are preparing for tighter budgets in the coming months. Notably, confidence in making significant purchases, such as furniture, vehicles, or appliances, plummeted to 38.7, the lowest among all categories. The outlook for the next twelve months also weakened, with the index slipping to 54.1. The trend was widespread, with Corozal experiencing the sharpest decline, while Stann Creek residents reported a slight uptick in optimism. Rural areas were hit harder than urban centers, highlighting the uneven impact of economic pressures. Interestingly, younger Belizeans aged 18 to 24 bucked the trend, recording a significant rise in confidence to 60.0, the highest of any age group. Analysts attribute the overall decline to rising prices and persistent economic instability, which continue to weigh heavily on families across the nation.
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Belize is Buying More and Selling Less
Belize’s economic landscape is under mounting pressure, as revealed by the latest trade report from the Statistical Institute of Belize. The data highlights a concerning trend: the nation is importing significantly more while its exports struggle to keep pace. In September 2025, Belize’s imports surged to $251 million, marking a $20 million increase compared to the previous year. Key imports included fuel, food, and heavy machinery, with rising costs for essentials like gas and cooking gas exacerbating the situation. Notably, imports of baby formula, cereal, and frozen fries also climbed, reflecting a growing reliance on foreign goods and higher consumer prices. On the export front, Belize earned just $31 million, a marginal increase from last year. The sugar industry, a cornerstone of the economy, suffered a significant blow, with sugar sales plummeting by over $26 million this year. This decline has left farmers and workers in the sector facing substantial losses. Despite these challenges, there are glimmers of hope. Lobster exports rose by more than $8 million, bean sales increased by nearly $4 million, and cattle exports also saw growth, helping to offset the decline in sugar revenue. The United Kingdom remains Belize’s largest trading partner, followed by the United States and Mexico. However, the widening trade deficit underscores the urgent need for strategic economic interventions to stabilize the nation’s financial health.
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Vaz gets tough on JPS as 66 per cent of customers remain in the dark
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact on Jamaica on October 28, Energy Minister Daryl Vaz has expressed growing frustration with the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) over its handling of the crisis. The storm caused catastrophic damage, particularly in the southwestern parishes of St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Trelawny, St James, Hanover, and Manchester, severely disrupting JPS infrastructure. However, even parishes less affected by the hurricane are experiencing significant power outages, leaving 462,000 of JPS’s approximately 700,000 customers without electricity as of Friday morning.
During a media briefing on Friday, Vaz emphasized the need for better communication from JPS, urging CEO Hugh Grant to adopt the approach used during Hurricane Beryl last year. Vaz criticized the lack of detailed updates, stating, ‘The communication that is coming out is not enough. Not enough to me and it’s not enough to those who’re affected. It’s not only about the amount of people who’ve been restored, it’s how many more are to be restored and what is the projection for them to be restored.’
Vaz highlighted the plight of residents in Kingston and St Andrew (KSA), where many remain without power. He stressed the importance of providing clear timelines for restoration, saying, ‘All they want to know, so that they can plan their business, is ‘what is the issue and when is it expected [to be resolved].’’
Grant assured Vaz that KSA would be fully restored by Sunday, but Vaz deemed this insufficient, demanding daily updates on restoration progress for all affected communities. He shared that KSA would be 90% restored by Sunday, St Thomas by midnight Sunday, and St Catherine by 75%. However, he called for more information on other parishes, including St Mary and Portland, where the majority of customers remain without electricity.
A detailed breakdown of outages shows alarming figures, with some parishes like Hanover, Manchester, St Ann, St Elizabeth, St James, St Mary, Trelawny, and Westmoreland experiencing 99% power loss. Vaz pledged to ensure JPS provides more detailed information and committed to overseeing full restoration in unaffected areas while developing a comprehensive plan for severely affected regions.
-Lynford Simpson
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Much of Falmouth destroyed by Melissa – McKenzie
The historic town of Falmouth in Jamaica has suffered catastrophic damage following the onslaught of Hurricane Melissa, a category five storm that struck the island on Tuesday. Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie revealed the extent of the destruction during a media briefing on Friday, after finally establishing contact with Falmouth Mayor Colin Gager. The mayor’s report painted a grim picture of the devastation, describing widespread destruction of key infrastructure and public facilities. Among the severely damaged structures are the municipal building, infirmary, courthouse, fire station, and markets. The drop-in center, which served as a shelter during the hurricane, was flooded and rendered unusable. Similar destruction was reported in other parishes, including St James and St Elizabeth, where municipal buildings, infirmaries, and fire stations were also heavily impacted. Communication remains a critical issue in the five worst-hit parishes—St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, St James, Trelawny, and Hanover—with authorities planning to deploy Starlink technology to restore connectivity. Additionally, the hurricane has severely disrupted the revenue base of municipal corporations, prompting an urgent assessment to mitigate the financial fallout.
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Import duty, GCT on hurricane relief items suspended
In a decisive move to bolster recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, the Jamaican government has announced a temporary suspension of Import Duty and General Consumption Tax (GCT) on a wide range of essential goods. This tax relief initiative, effective from October 29 to November 28, aims to streamline the importation and distribution of critical supplies to those impacted by the disaster. The suspension applies to both individual and organizational importers, covering items such as cleaning products, clothing, mattresses, toiletries, and non-perishable food items. Additionally, the list includes emergency equipment like generators, tents, and water purification kits, though some items may require pre-approval or permits. Jamaica Customs emphasized that goods imported before October 29 are ineligible for this relief, and other fees such as the Environmental Levy and Customs Administrative Fee remain applicable. This measure is designed to alleviate the financial burden on affected communities and expedite the delivery of much-needed resources during this challenging period.
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Golden Krust to provide aid, donations to Jamaica
In response to the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica, the Golden Krust restaurant group has spearheaded a significant relief campaign in the United States, aiming to raise over US$250,000. This initiative supports on-the-ground relief efforts coordinated by The American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ). Golden Krust, the first Caribbean-owned business in the U.S. to secure a franchise license, has mobilized its network of over 100 restaurants to establish a relief fund, kickstarted by a US$10,000 contribution from the company. Customers dining at Golden Krust locations can also contribute by adding donations of $1, $3, or $5 at checkout, with all proceeds directly aiding Hurricane Melissa relief. The fundraising campaign will continue until the end of the year. Additionally, Golden Krust has introduced the ‘Boxes of Hope’ initiative, enabling customers to donate essential relief goods, which will be shipped directly to affected areas in Jamaica. Steven Clarke, Vice President of Marketing at Golden Krust, emphasized the company’s commitment to community and compassion, values rooted in its Jamaican heritage. He stated, ‘In collaboration with AFJ and our partners, we are dedicated to providing meaningful support and hope to those devastated by Hurricane Melissa.’ The campaign unites Golden Krust, AFJ, and a coalition of trusted organizations, including the NCB Foundation, Food For The Poor, Global Empowerment Mission, Sanmerna Foundation, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, JetBlue, and Dennis Shipping, to deliver comprehensive aid to Jamaica.