BEL Severance Fight Heats Up

Claims of unfair treatment at Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) are intensifying after documents revealed that senior managers received sizeable severance packages, while lower-tier workers continue to fight for what they say is owed.

The Belize Energy Workers for Justice says the discovery has strengthened its push, especially among former employees protesting despite illness and age.

One of the organisers of BEWJ, Dorla Staine, recalled, “It was a stink one time in the company. When we were asking in 1999, the workers were saying, ‘Pay us our severance. Let us start fresh under the new regime.’ They said no.”

“Lo and behold, there were documents circulating where you see big names for big people at the top. They pay themself and they give themself bonuses,” she added.

However, BEL maintains its pension structure complies with the Caribbean Court of Justice ruling and is backed by legal opinions.

News 5 has reached out to BEL in an attempt to get more clarity regarding some of the names seen on the documents.

Tune in to News Five at 6:00pm for a closer look at those named in the documents.