Immigration CEO perplexed by sickout in the absence of any formal complaints

There are new developments tonight in the situation at Belize’s western border, where reports of a coordinated sick-out by immigration officers raised concerns about possible industrial action earlier today.  Initial information reaching Love News indicated that up to eight officers assigned to the western border station had called in sick, sparking speculation that the absences may have been a form of protest linked to internal dissatisfaction. However, the Ministry of Immigration has since moved to clarify the situation.  Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Immigration, Tanya Santos Neal, says that, at this time, there is no formal complaint on record from officers at the western border, leading the ministry to believe that the situation does not constitute industrial action.

Tanya Santos, CEO, Ministry of Immigration: “I can confirm that there are there is a total of eight officers at the western border who called in sick. Some of them have certified sick certificates and others well it’s just calling in sick we don’t know if that will extend into the rest of the week. I wish them a speedy recovery because we need our officers at border. I can’t say that it’s an actual sick out because as far as I’m aware there is no grievance. The ministry has not been presented with any grievance by the western border. I checked several times with the director if he has received any complaints and he has confirmed that he has not received any complaints. He was there last week and asked them directly “Do you have any issues or concerns” and there were none that were addressed to him. He even offered to open his door if they don’t feel comfortable talking there but up to today’s date no complaint has been lodged. So to say that it’s a sick out which is a form of industrial action it can’t be because there have been no complaints to the ministry.”

CEO Neal explained that while the ministry is aware of the reports, the absence of any official grievance filed through the proper channels suggests that the matter may not be an organized protest, even as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding today’s developments.  She also emphasized that officers within the department are encouraged to raise concerns or grievances without fear, noting that there are established mechanisms in place to ensure transparency and protection for staff.  Meanwhile, CEO Neal also addressed concerns being raised about the recent appointment of Sheree Flores as Port Commander at the western border. Several officers have reportedly cited dissatisfaction with her management style as a source of tension. Neal acknowledged the concerns but indicated that leadership appointments are made within the framework of the public service and must be respected, even as dialogue remains open.

Tanya Santos, CEO, Ministry of Immigration: “The staff need not fear that there will be repercussions for making complaints or expressing concerns about their port commanders or their supervisors. Anyone who knows me, the CEO of Immigration, knows that I am a fair person. If it is that the Port Commander is micromanaging, if it is that they’re having significant issues that aren’t becoming of a supervisor whether it’s the Port Commander or another supervisor it needs to be addressed, it will be called out. And likewise, if it is that officers under supervision are not performing, are not delivering, are misbehaving, are giving poor service, that needs to be addressed. It is the whole that makes the department, not just one person, not just the port commander, not just immigration clerk, not just immigration assistant. It is the whole from the director, myself the CEO, to the immigration clerks. We all have to work together and when we’re being pulled in different directions it creates chaos. So we need to all be in one direction and I urge and I implore officers when you have issues do not take matters into your own hands because there are significant repercussions for actions like this. Imagine closing a border for effectively what is no reason because you have not lodged a complaint. You have not filed a complaint. So think twice when you’re influenced into doing things like this and always know that you have somebody in your corner once you’re doing the right thing. Ms. Flores actually challenged that she fit the promotion, that she should be the next officer for promotion. She challenged that with the public service and they agreed with her. So she was appointed as port commander and the vacancy then was at the western border. So she was sent to the western border. So yes there was,  when there’s a, when there’s a vacancy any vacancy for that matter when there is a vacancy, we look at all the qualifications of the all officers, their experience, their appointment date, all of that, all that is required. And we do this in consultation with the public service as well. And there are times when officers don’t agree that they weren’t promoted or aren’t next in line and they, and they challenge and that’s what Miss Flores did as well. And it turned out that she was right. And so she did fit the promotion to Port Commander.”

While operations at the western border continue, the ministry says it is actively gathering information to determine whether the sick-out was purely health-related or indicative of deeper internal concerns.  Love News will continue to monitor this developing story.