The Public Service Union (PSU) of Belize has expressed deep frustration over the Government of Belize’s (GOB) lack of response to concerns regarding the proposed transformation of the Belize Tax Services Department (BTSD) into a Semi-Autonomous Revenue Authority (SARA). Despite the passing of a two-week deadline, the government has remained silent, prompting the union to label the inaction as outright disrespect. The PSU has raised significant issues about the efficiency, costs, and employee welfare implications of the proposed SARA, which would operate as a statutory body governed by a board of directors. Union President Dean Flowers criticized the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Public Service, and the Prime Minister for their perceived indifference, accusing them of treating the revenue-generating authority as a private enterprise. The PSU is now consulting its membership through surveys and meetings to determine the next course of action, which may include service disruptions. A decisive meeting with the general membership is scheduled to gauge support for potential measures to address the matter.
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PSU No Longer Needed for Belize Tax Service Employees?
The Public Service Union (PSU) in Belize is intensifying its efforts to address concerns over the transition of the Belize Tax Service into a Semi-Autonomous Revenue Authority (SARA). A major point of contention is the potential removal of the PSU as the bargaining agent for tax service employees, a move that has sparked significant debate. PSU President Dean Flowers has urged the Government of Belize to respond to these concerns promptly, warning of further actions if no resolution is reached. Flowers emphasized the union’s dual focus on safeguarding public revenues and protecting the welfare of approximately 200 employees who could be impacted by the transition. Despite setting an October 3 deadline for a response, the government has yet to address the union’s concerns. Flowers criticized comments from the Director General of the Belize Tax Service, Michelle Longsworth, suggesting that the PSU’s role would be eliminated post-transition, labeling such statements as ‘foolish.’ Longsworth, in a written response, clarified that once SARA is established, employees would no longer be classified as public officers but as employees of the new authority. She assured that their rights to representation and collective bargaining would be protected, though the specifics of how current PSU members would be affected remain under review. The transition has raised questions about the future of labor representation in Belize’s tax administration, with both sides emphasizing the need for careful consultation to ensure employee rights are upheld.
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Public Officers Enjoy 4.5% Salary Increase
Public officers in Belize are celebrating a significant milestone this week as they receive a 4.5% salary increase, a long-awaited adjustment promised by the Government of Belize. This development follows months of intense negotiations, protests, and public demonstrations led by unions advocating for better compensation amid rising living costs. The salary hike, which took effect this week, has been met with widespread gratitude, particularly among lower-paid workers who stand to benefit the most. Teachers and pensioners are also set to receive their adjusted pay by the end of the month, marking a victory for the joint union efforts. Dean Flowers, President of the Public Service Union (PSU), expressed satisfaction with the outcome, emphasizing the importance of this adjustment in helping public officers cope with the escalating cost of living. The successful negotiation underscores the critical role of unions in advocating for workers’ rights and ensuring dignified living conditions for retirees.
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No New Salary Increase for Library Service Employees
In October 2025, while many public sector employees in Belize celebrated a newly implemented salary increase, a significant group of workers found themselves excluded from this financial uplift. Among those left out were employees of the National Library Service, who did not receive the anticipated adjustment in their paychecks. According to Dean Flowers, President of the Public Service Union (PSU), this exclusion stems from the library service’s conversion into a statutory board over two decades ago, which reclassified its workers outside the public officer category. Flowers expressed deep concern over this development, labeling it a ‘sad situation’ and criticizing it as a result of flawed political decisions. He emphasized that these workers are now deprived of not only the salary adjustment but also their pension benefits, which have been ‘wiped out completely.’ Flowers called for urgent action, including the design of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) to address the issue. He also warned that other statutory bodies, such as the Belize Tax Services Department, could face similar challenges if economic analyses fail to demonstrate their ability to sustain proposed benefits. Flowers’ remarks highlight broader concerns about the sustainability and fairness of public service reforms in Belize.
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PSU Dismisses Former President’s Claims of Owed Payments
In a recent development, the Public Service Union (PSU) has firmly dismissed claims made by its former president, Gerald Henry Jr., regarding unpaid leave compensation. Henry alleges that the union owes him over $6,000 for 54 days of accumulated leave, a sum he claims was promised by the Ministry of the Public Service. The dispute, which has been ongoing since 2021, has yet to yield a favorable outcome for Henry. Current PSU President Dean Flowers addressed the matter, stating that the claim lacks legal foundation and is a ‘waste of time.’ Flowers emphasized that the union remains open to dialogue but will dismiss claims that do not align with applicable laws. The protracted legal battle highlights the complexities of labor disputes within public service organizations.
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World Pediatrics Steps In for Belize’s Children
In a remarkable collaboration, World Pediatrics Belize and Belize Specialist Hospital have launched their annual Pediatric Surgery Mission, offering life-saving medical procedures to children who might otherwise lack access to such care. This year, the initiative screened approximately sixty young patients, with nearly half undergoing critical surgeries. The program, which focuses on complex pediatric cases, has become a beacon of hope for Belizean families grappling with the high costs of specialized healthcare. Tragically, the need for such initiatives was underscored by the recent deaths of two infants, Emiliano Flores and Victoria Olivares, whose families struggled to secure adequate medical treatment. World Pediatrics Belize, in partnership with local hospitals, is addressing these challenges by providing essential surgeries for conditions such as renal biopsies, bowel obstructions, gallstones, Hirschsprung disease, and gastroesophageal reflux. The Belize Specialist Hospital, operational since 2008, has significantly expanded its services over the past five years and is now hosting these surgeries. Additionally, the hospital is organizing a blood drive on October 25, open to all willing donors. Robson Moreira, CEO of Medical Services Corporation, highlighted the emotional impact of the initiative, noting that the partnership was initially planned for a single day but was extended to a week due to the overwhelming need. This mission exemplifies how global and local healthcare efforts can unite to transform lives and communities.
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Despite reforms, U.S. says Dominican Republic still fails to meet anti-trafficking standards
The U.S. State Department has acknowledged the Dominican Republic’s advancements in combating human trafficking, elevating the country to Tier 2 in its 2025 Trafficking in Persons Report. While this marks a significant improvement, the report emphasizes that the nation still falls short of fully meeting the minimum standards for eradicating human trafficking. Key reforms, such as the amendment of Law 137-03—which eliminates the requirement to prove force, fraud, or coercion in cases involving minors—underscore the government’s intensified efforts. Additionally, authorities have ramped up investigations and prosecutions, identified a greater number of victims, and strengthened labor inspections in high-risk sectors. In 2024 alone, 229 new trafficking investigations were initiated, more than doubling the 99 cases recorded the previous year. Despite these strides, the report highlights persistent challenges, including inadequate focus on forced labor cases, weak protection mechanisms for male and labor victims, and ongoing corruption among public officials. Vulnerable populations, such as stateless individuals and migrants, remain at heightened risk due to insufficient documentation and social services. On a positive note, the Dominican Republic has taken commendable steps, such as suspending companies accused of forced labor, launching a 2025–2028 National Action Plan, and initiating a pilot program for formal migrant worker registration. The U.S. has urged the country to enhance institutional coordination, improve victim detection, and impose stricter penalties on traffickers, while acknowledging that resource constraints and corruption continue to impede full compliance with international standards.
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Ombudsman’s Office Backs Jerry Enriquez’s FOIA Request
In a significant development for government transparency, social activist Jeremy Enriquez has gained the support of the Ombudsman’s Office in his quest for information under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Enriquez had initially sought details from the Attorney General’s Ministry regarding taxpayer funds allocated to legal fees in recent constitutional cases, along with the identities of the attorneys involved. The Ministry declined his request, citing legal constraints. However, the Ombudsman’s Office has challenged this stance, asserting that the requested documents are not legally exempt from disclosure. The Ombudsman emphasized that the information pertains to government contracts with private service providers and highlighted the FOIA provision allowing partial disclosure of sensitive documents. While the Ombudsman has recommended the release of at least some of the requested information, it remains uncertain whether the Attorney General’s Ministry will comply. This case underscores the ongoing tension between public accountability and governmental secrecy, with Enriquez’s efforts potentially setting a precedent for future transparency initiatives.
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Convicted Killers Appeal Rosado Murder Verdict; Court Reserves Decision
Two individuals convicted for the heinous murder of 70-year-old businessman Oscar Rosado Sr. are now challenging their convictions and sentences in the Court of Appeal. Brandon Hughes, identified as the shooter, is serving a life sentence with no parole eligibility for 30 years, while his accomplice, Jose Gomez, who claimed he only intended to rob the store, is serving a 12-year sentence with a minimum of eight years before parole. Both have been incarcerated for less than two years but are now seeking to overturn their verdicts. After two hours of rigorous arguments, the court reserved its decision for a later date. Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Sheiniza Smith defended the convictions, emphasizing the profound impact of the crime on Rosado’s family and the necessity of upholding justice. In contrast, defense attorneys Orson ‘OJ’ Elrington and David McKoy argued that the convictions were ‘unsafe,’ citing missing transcripts, incomplete notes, and the absence of a written judgment. They contended that these omissions hindered a fair assessment of the trial judge’s application of the law, labeling it a ‘tremendous miscarriage of justice.’ For the Rosado family, the appeal has reopened painful wounds. Oscar Rosado Jr. expressed his anguish, stating, ‘They should be thankful their lives are in limbo. They should be thankful to be alive—because my dad is dead. My dad cannot ask for an appeal.’ The Court of Appeal’s decision remains pending.
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Half of Escaped Guatemalan Inmates Recaptured
In a significant development, Guatemalan authorities have successfully recaptured ten out of the twenty inmates who escaped from the high-security Fraijanes II prison. The escape, which reportedly occurred over the past two months, was only disclosed to the public on October 12, 2025. Guatemala’s Interior Minister, Francisco Jiménez, stated that officials had been investigating rumors of the escape for weeks. Initial investigations suggest that some inmates may have exploited routine prison visits to flee, exposing a critical security lapse in one of the nation’s most secure facilities. Among those apprehended is Byron Fajardo Revolorio, alias “Black Demon,” who was serving a 180-year sentence. His capture marks a crucial victory for law enforcement, but the search for the remaining fugitives remains ongoing. Regional police forces are intensifying their efforts to locate the escapees, with neighboring Belize also on high alert. Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith emphasized Belize’s vulnerability as a potential transit point for the fugitives due to its proximity to Guatemala. She urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities promptly.