COMMON MAN SHAME ON U-NION LEADERS

By HILLY BENNETT

The Chief Executive Officer of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, Chandra Cansino has lashed back at the seemingly politically compromised union President Andrew Baird, saying that the "Union is wrong, wrong and wrong." This was said after they issued a Press Release from the President of KHMHWU, that the institution still suffers from critical equipment and medicine shortages in key areas. Cansino fact-checked the information proving the existence of falsified allegations in the entire release. The President has since come under fire for his irresponsible act to gaslight the nation.

Again, on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 the Joint Unions(leaders) held a Press Conference that was veiled with deceit and misinformation filled with hot air and a measure of grandstanding in the attempt to take aim at the Prime Minister Honorable John Briceño and the Government. It is clear that the union leaderships, that was sitting at the head-table, is without shame when the facts regarding the issues laid is considered. Like Baird, this was a clear attempt to gaslight the masses with misinformation and the hurling of threats of industrial action and insinuating the move to civil unrest.

The foremost issue raised by the Union leaders at the head-table was the unfreezing of increments and the proposed approach to pension reform. Although, the UDP politically compromised Dean Flowers, President of the Public Service Union would make it seem that it was the PUP Government that instituted the increment freeze on Public Officers—an economic hit from the hand of Dean Barrow.

On a May 8, 2020 press conference said that "It is in that context that the GOB proposal requiring the most minimal of sacrifices from those paid by the public purse must be seen. All we are asking is that Public Officers and Teachers give up increments for fiscal year 2020-2021...Thus, the increment freeze group is in dollar terms is being asked for the smallest amount of monies ".

For context, when Dean Barrow imploded the wage bill and boasted that he grew the wage bill by 35 million dollars a year for ten years, notwithstanding the caution by the IMF that it was unsustainable, and retrenchment was necessary, there was not even a whiff coming out of the unions. Dean Barrow ran the economy over the cliff and resorted to borrowing a million dollars a day to pay salaries. Upon hitting the debt wall the crocodile tears flowed and he prayed for manna from the heavens. After the May 8, 2020 Press Conference Prime Minister Honorable John Briceño told the media that Barrow "wants to have his cake and eat it. He is saying I am not going to fire anybody and I am just going to borrow and borrow till I can't borrow anymore. It's not only about borrowing to make the salaries, it's about looking at his government, where the monies are being spent, where it is that we have to have cuts, where it is that we have people that are there only because they are political cronies. We have to cut the fat and get to the real deal that we need to be able to run the government as sustainable as possible." He was heedless to the advice of the IMF and those of John Briceño, the then, Leader of the Opposition.

On Tuesday, December 20, 2022 the Prime Minister Honorable John Briceño and the Deputy Prime Minister Honorable Cordel Hyde, accompanied by the Minister of Education, Honorable Francis Fonseca; Minister of Public Service, Constitutional Reform and Religious Affairs, Honorable Henry Charles Usher and Financial Secretary Joseph Waight held a cordial meeting with the representatives of the Joint Unions and discussed a myriad of issues, including the increment freeze and pension reform. The Prime Minister informed the Joint Unions that restoring the increment frozen was contingent upon pension reform. The PM insisted that although pension reform is necessary, the new formula would not affect those Public Officers that have been in the Public Service for a number of years. Nonetheless, Dean Flowers made assertions to the opposite as though every Public Officers would be affected. Dean Flowers yuh wrong, wrong and wrong. That is not so!

At the meeting in December 2022, the Prime Minister had scheduled a follow-up meeting with the Joint Unions for July 2023 but the Unions requested an earlier date. The PM had agreed to March 2023. Hence, the Press Conference on Tuesday last becomes questionable as to the motive. It is rumored that an audit of the Public Sector Workers Trust is in the horizon and that the Press Conference was to create a distraction. The People’s United Party Government as a responsible government, continues to make decisions, sometimes hard, but the right ones in the interest of country and people delivering on the mandate of PlanBelize.

The deadline for filing

TD4’s for the basis year 2022 is February 28, 2023

Below are the listed Online Requirements

1. It is mandatory that employers having more than 25 employees file their PAYE Reconciliation via IRIS Belize Portal.

2. When filing out the PAYERECON Template it is required to enter The Tax Identification Number (TIN) and social security number for each employee. The PAYERECON Template must include all employees whether taxable or non-taxable. (Template can be found on our website www.bts.gov.bz labelled PAYERECON)

3. The Belize Tax Service Department can assist you with Tax Identification Number for the employees for whom you submitted a TD4 supplementary last year. The form BTS101 should be filled out COMPLETELY for any employee who does not have a TIN. (Expired social security cards will not be accepted).

4. Employers are required to ensure that all monthly PAYE submission has been entered in their tax account.

5. If any withheld taxes were paid after the due date, penalties and interest would have accrued and therefore, all such amounts would need to be paid before your TD4’s can be processed. Any outstanding taxes withheld should be paid before processing can begin.

6. Please be informed that if all supporting documents are not attached to the online submission this may result in a delay of the processing of your employees’ returns.

Note for your employees when filing employee return: The BTSD take this opportunity to invite employees, to get registered and utilize the IRIS Belize online portal to file their employee returns for 2022. If your banking information has changed since last filing, please inform us by completing and uploading a vendor authorization form. A credit union or bank account number along with a valid copy of a social security card is required when filing for an Employee Tax Refund. The deadline for your employees to file their employee income tax return is Friday, March 31, 2023. All forms and templates listed above may be found on our website www.bts.gov.bz To register for an IRIS Belize account, visit https://www.irisbelize. bts.gov.bz/CreateAccount

In order to facilitate the transition process, taxpayers may seek technical assistance from the IRIS Belize HELP DESK which may be contacted via telephone at +501 613-8375; +501 613-2773; +501 614-5731; +501 613-4711; or email at onlineaccounts_bz@bts.gov.bz during the hours of 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM on Mondays-Thursdays, and 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM on Fridays.

Liquor License Notices

Notice is hereby given that Errol Leslie is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “The Barracks Chill Spot” located at # 84 Barrack Road, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Hernan A. Serrano is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Serrano’s One Stop Shop” located at # 10 Marage Road, Ladyville Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Jianhong Chen is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “New Fortune” located at # 6454 Mahogany Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Jahed Ahmed & MD Rakib Jony & Hossan are applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Mid Town Grocery Shop” located at # 63/61 Albert Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance

Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Neil R. Gibson is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Pine Ridge Lodge” located at Miles 14 Pine Ridge Road, Cayo District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance

Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Rosanna Depaz/Andrew Haylock are applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “The Gully Grill” located on Joseph Andrews Drive, San Ignacio Town, Cayo District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that David Green is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Hidden Haven” located in Unitedville Village, Cayo District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance

Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Wen Quan Su is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Sunlight Restaurant” located at # 2 Guerra Street, San Ignacio Town, Cayo District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Orlando Medina is applying for a Malt & Cider Liquor License to be operated at “Slim’s Grill” located in Biscayne Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance

Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Raquel B. Castillo is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “A & I Kitchen” located at # 1 George Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Abdul Quddus is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Jannat Keyes Grocery” located at # 23 Wood Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Maria I Eraso is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Lucita Shop” located at Miles 2 George Price Highway, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance

Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Maria L. Castro is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Lilly’s Restaurant & Bar” located in Maskall Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance

Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Dennis E. Gladden/Troy A. Flowers are applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Belize In A Cup” located on Res. Newtown Barracks, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Hitesh G. Vimlani is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “LG Super Store” located at # 068 Faber’s Road, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance

Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Samuel E. Charley is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Charley’s Place” located in San Antonio Village, Corozal District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Grisel Botes is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “D Yaad House Restaurant” located in Libertad Village, Corozal District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Antonio J Magana is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “El Centro” located in San Joaquin Village, Corozal District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Ana Laura Mai is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “ Mai’s Mini Shop” located in Xaibe Village, Corozal District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that James Grant is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “J’Bell’s Cool Spot” located in San Andres Village, Corozal District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Miguel UK is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Mike’s Supermarket” located in Patchakan Village, Corozal District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Clarisa M. Tepaz is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Charley’s Place” located in San Antonio Village, Corozal District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Rubisela L. Briceno is applying for a Malt Liquor License to be operated at “Ruby’s Cool Spot” located in Chan Chen Village, Corozal District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Mayra L. Tzul is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Amigos Del Mar Restaurant” located in Copper Bank Village, Corozal District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Yuming Zhu is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Charley’s Place” located in San Antonio Village, Corozal District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Jose A. Alcoser is applying for a Night Club Liquor License to be operated at “C & B Night Club” located at Baeza Layout, Corozal Town, Corozal District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance

Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Reed –Lee Supaul is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Delma’s Shop” located in Libertad Village, Corozal District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Doroteo Rodriguez is applying for a Malt Liquor License to be operated at “Palapa Noa Noa” located in San Joaquin Village, Corozal District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Martita Lima is applying for a Malt Liquor License to be operated at “Melanies Cool Spot” located on San Andres Road, Corozal Town, Corozal District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Cindy Herrera is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Pasadina Restaurant & Bar” located in Ranchito Village, Corozal District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Elizabeth Tun is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “T & E” located in San Andres Village, Corozal District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Ivan Patt is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Champion Lounge” located in Chunox Village, Corozal District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Marco A Gongora is applying for a Malt Liquor License to be operated at “Adolfo’s Pool & Bar” located in Concepcion Village, Corozal District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Andy Orosco is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Sky Bar & Lounge” located at Finca Solana, Corozal Town, Corozal District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Emelda Valdez is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Eduardo’s Mini Shop” located in Ranchito Village, Corozal District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Belize Brewing Company Ltd. is applying for a Convenience Store Liquor License to be operated at “Naybaz 7” located in San Roman Village, Corozal District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Noemi A. August is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “D’ Hideout” located on Pineapple Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Raul Cuello is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “L & R Liquors” located at # 72 Belize /Corozal Road, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Shalinni Blanco/Meilyn Humes are applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Mi Segunda Casa” located on East San Martin Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Alberto Vargas is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “A & C Store” located at # 72 San Andres Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Jorge Cante is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Georgie’s Restaurant” located in San Felipe Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.