标签： Belize

In a historic move, the Government of Belize (GOB) has finalized a groundbreaking agreement with Canadian energy giant Fortis Inc. to acquire its entire electricity sector assets in Belize. This includes Fortis’s three major hydropower plants and its 33.3% ownership stake in Belize Electricity Limited (BEL). Prime Minister John Briceño is set to announce the deal in the House of Representatives on Friday, where he will introduce a Bill seeking parliamentary approval for the acquisition. The proposed legislation will authorize the purchase of Fortis’s hydropower facilities on the Macal River, which consist of the 25-megawatt Mollejon Plant, the 7 MW Chalillo Plant and Reservoir, and the 19 MW Vaca Plant. Collectively, these facilities generate over one-third of Belize’s annual electricity supply. Commissioned between 1996 and 2010, these plants have been pivotal in Belize’s renewable energy infrastructure. The government aims to complete the acquisitions by November 15, 2025, with funding allocated through a special budgetary appropriation. Post-acquisition, the government plans to issue domestic equity and debt offerings to recoup the initial investment. Financial specifics of the transaction will be disclosed when the Bill is presented. The existing power purchase agreements between the hydropower plants and BEL extend to 2050 for Mollejon and Chalillo, and to 2060 for Vaca. David Hutchens, President and CEO of Fortis Inc., expressed his congratulations to the Belizean government, highlighting Fortis’s long-standing partnership and operational success in Belize since 1999. The new entity, Hydro Belize Limited, will be headquartered in San Ignacio, Cayo District, under the leadership of CEO Kay Menzies. The company’s 48-member team will be entirely Belizean, with an Interim Board chaired by Ambassador Lynn Young, a seasoned professional with experience at both BEL and Fortis Belize. Advisors to the government included NERA Consulting UK, Hallmark Advisory, Marsh LLP, and Sukhnandan Consulting LLC.

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.

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.

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.