Last Friday, The Government of Belize found itself in the unenviable position of having to release employees, who had been hired under the Southside Rejuvenation Project. It was not an easy decision but it certainly was one that had to be made. But even as the people had been let go, before the week was out some of those people who had lost their jobs were back to work.
Minister of State in the Ministry of Human Development Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Mark King, announced that some of those who had lost their jobs had already been rehired. So far 6 workers have been hired by RJB Construction, 10 have been hired by Mejia’s Construction and 30 others will be hired in a project to upgrade McKay Boulevard, Ordonez and Police Streets in Belize City.
RJB’s Romel Berges told the Guardian Newspaper that he is pleased to hire the workers and is more than satisfied with their performance. Currently, these workers are on Evergreen Street as the preparatory works are underway to have street concreted. According to Berges, he will be taking on more workers as the project expands.
As Berges and the other contractors are hiring those who had to be let go from the Southside Poverty Alleviation program, the Ministry has established a technical team headed by Hon. Mark King to ensure that even after the downscaling of program ,those who are let go will find employment elsewhere. A release sent out by the Ministry says that the Gang Truce will now officially be called the ‘Peace in Progress Program’.
A Cabinet sub-committee has also been established to chart the new way forward. That committee is headed by Hon. Mark King and will consist of other members including Ministers Lisel Alamilla, Godwin Hulse, and Wilfred Elrington. Â
While the committee will be spearheading the way forward, the ministry asks that any person or organization who has suggestions they can contribute them through an e-mail address: lakeibleize@hotmail.com
