“We want back our damn job!!!”

BML workers stage protest in front of City Hall on North Front Street

BML workers protest outside City Hall

BELIZE CITY, Tuesday, January 10th, 2012

By Alton Humes

It is fatalistic to believe that sanitation workers, perceived in varied corners of society as the lowest of the low, are not necessary in preserving the cleanliness and sanctity of our City. And whenever there is a threat to the sanitation workers and their only continuous means of survival in these tough times, they will rise up and defend what is theirs.

That was the case this afternoon, as workers from the Belize Maintenance Ltd. (BML) protested – albeit without a permit or permission from any source – over the removal of a sanitation contract that permitted them to clean in certain ‘hot spots’, or areas with the most garbage in Belize City.

The removal of the contract was a complete and total shock to the workers, who were sent a letter by the Belize City Council on Monday January 9th, which was read out to them by the Manager of BML, Lawrence Ellis, and it effectively ended their ability to collect garbage in such ‘hot spots’ on January 10th. The Council transferred that contract to another entity, the Belize Waste Control Ltd (BWCL).

But it would be the workers’ turn to voice their broiling anger, one more time in the life of the UDP Belize City Council, in front of City Hall today – some in colorful four-letter words, others by sleeping in the garbage trucks, and others by telling anyone who would listen about their anger and frustration.

Admittedly, there were a few ‘street-side observers’ from the ruling UDP government who were onsite at the protest and suggested that such work merely corresponds to extras, and doesn’t fit into their contract, made with the Belize City Council several years ago as they ascended to power.

But to the workers, CitCo, and by extension, GOB, are the consummate and sole villains here, as there have also been reports that this contract would either be wholly or partially given to the brother of the current Mayor, Zenaida Moya.

“They are chancing us. What happened to the UDP? They say that when they are in power that they will help poor people. We don’t have a job now. What will we do now?” said one of the protestors angrily.

“All of us are upset because it’s without any notice. Even if they had notified us we would understand, but we already know that this is a political thing and we are more mad because of that. They put politics to try and take away bread from our mouths. Why do they prefer to take away our contract to give to Waste Control? Aren’t we doing a good enough job for them?” said one of the workers.

“I want to say to Mr. Barrow, the Prime Minister of this country to have a heart. I have a young child and another going to school. How will I feed them? Will you feed them for us? Stop playing politics! We want back our God damn job!!” said another worker.

The protesting workers’ voices carried loudly over the din and roar of traffic and various passers-by, and even threatened to dump a truck load of garbage on the street in front of City Hall. Luckily, the small presence of Police carted all of the men off without major incident.

But as one of the workers made abundantly clear, they’ll be out there every day if they have to – which means no sleep for an embattled City Council whose facing reelection – and intense added scrutiny.

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