BREAKING: BELCOGEN files suit against Belize Sugar Cane Farmers’ Association for work stoppage

Published by BBNTEAM at February 21, 2022

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Posted: Monday, February 21, 2022. 10:02 am CST.

By Aaron Humes: Breaking Belize News understands that for the second time in as many weeks, a major business has sued a labour organization in relation to a work stoppage.

This time, Channel 7 News reported this morning, it is Belize Co-Generation Energy Limited (BELCOGEN), suing the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers’ Association (BSCFA) and four cane farmers in relation to the one-week break in the cane season in late December and early January where farmers blocked the entrance to Tower Hill, preventing deliveries, in order to force the millers to the table to sign an interim agreement to continue negotiations on a new commercial agreement.

We understand the lawsuit is filed by Marine Parade Chambers and claims, similarly to the Port of Belize lawsuit against the Christian Workers’ Union (CWU), for loss of business related to the action. The estimated special damages amount to $564,926.

The BSCFA has, for its part, said publicly that it sought indemnity from the Government in relation to its actions and we are told they got it.

Minister of Agriculture Jose Mai has been quoted as saying to Channel 7 that the filing is “atrocious” and “unbelievable,” but it appears it may be the government that is on the hook.

We’ll continue to follow developments.

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