Benque Border Staff Shortage Raises Protest Concerns

Seven immigration officers calling in sick at the Western Border in Benque Viejo triggered suspicion this morning, with officials suspecting a coordinated protest over management issues. Immigration CEO Tanya Santos says the ministry received no complaints beforehand and confirmed that only two of the officers had certified illnesses, forcing supervisors to call in off‑duty staff to keep the port running. She called the move “holding the port hostage,” warned it reflects a wider pattern, and says the ministry is now considering using police officers to fill abandoned posts. While Santos plans to meet with the officers to hear their concerns, she described the sickout as misguided and malicious.

 

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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