LIU Director Says ‘We Never Paid People to Hold It Down’

More than 500 people are currently without income after the Leadership Intervention Unit’s (LIU) work programme was placed on pause.

Acting LIU Director Andrew Dawson told News 5 the pause has left participants facing immediate hardship. “It does create some tension as it relates to these individuals, not knowing where the other meal comes from,” he said.

Dawson rejected the perception that the programme only involved gang-affiliated individuals, saying it supported a wider group of vulnerable Belizeans, including university students and office interns.

Dawson also addressed longstanding criticism that the programme amounted to paying people to stay out of trouble. He said that characterisation has never been accurate.

“Let me put that on record. Since I’ve been at LIU and even with the previous director, we have never had an intention to say that we’re paying people to hold it down. It was a social protection programme,” he said.

While acknowledging shortcomings in accountability and work output, Dawson said the programme still produced positive outcomes for many participants.

“What do you do? You dash away everyone. How about those who have made changes or those who have made strides to becoming better persons within their society?” Dawson said. “We can’t just get rid of those persons because of a handful who do not want to cooperate.”

He said the LIU is now exploring new income-generating options beyond the existing beautification model. However, he noted that any decision on whether the programme returns is above his level of authority.