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Garifunas Protest Against First Caribbean
Fri, August 29, 2014
The Garifuna community took to the streets of Dangriga this morning to protest against First Caribbean International Bank and all other businesses which have allegedly prohibited their Garifuna employees from speaking their language while on the worksite.

They were out in numbers carrying signs, marching from in front of the Drums of Our Fathers Monument, through the principal streets, finishing in front of First Caribbean Bank Branch in Dangriga. It was a strong message sent by those protesters that they would not tolerate such violation of their indigenous rights.

As we've told you, First Caribbean strongly denies that any such restriction was issued in their Dangriga Branch, but both the National Garifuna Council and the United Garifuna Association say that they have confirmed that it did happen.

The protest this morning prompted the Bank to organize an impromptu press briefing 45 minutes before news time to respond to the allegations directly. Here's what the company rep said:

Shaeleen Castillo, Manager - Retail Banking and Operations
"We have been in Belize since 1949. We were the first bank to extend to the districts and we started off with Dangriga and we started there in 1953 and so we are also proud to highlight that our staff base it comprise people of all ethnicities including the Garifuna people and at least 10% of our staff comprise Garifuna employees. We at CIBC First Caribbean embrace all ethnicities and cultures within the communities in which we operate. Never has there been any attempt on our part to stifle the use of any native language of our employees and so we confirm that we CIBC First Caribbean, our staff, our management did not issue any written directive to the staff regarding not using Garifuna in the branch and there is no policy within CIBC First Caribbean that prohibits the use of Garifuna or any other native language within the bank. Our employees are free to use whatever language they are comfortable with in their private conversations."

"We operate across the Caribbean and in the territories in which we operate there are other native languages that are use and staff are free to use those languages. We encourage diversity in all its forms and within all sectors with our community especially within the Garifuna community - you know the culture is rich and we have supported that in so many ways. We have contributed to the National Garifuna Council; we have contributed to the Gulisi Museum. Our renowned Unsung Heroes Program, we've had two persons of Garifuna heritage who have been finalists and even when there are Settlement Day activities, the bank has given full support to staff to participate in those activities. We have participated in the Settlement Day parade; we have brought in the drummers and the dancers in the branch; we've showcased the culture in terms of the food and even the dress. I recall fondly one year where the staff across all ethnicities wore their cultural outfits. So we are very much in support of the culture."

"I was in Dangriga today and I had privilege to meet with Mayor Suazo and we are hoping then that through his leadership, we will be able to have further communication with the Garifuna community and so bring a smooth and fast resolution to this matter. So again we just want to extend apologies for any misunderstanding and we are in full support of diversity and in full support of our Garifuna culture here in Belize."

Reporter
"Why was there the delay in terms of getting out the responds, before ot got to this particular point?"

Shaeleen Castillo, Manager - Retail Banking and Operations
"For us it was a matter of investigating and trying to understand what was the source of this situation and unfortunately we've not been able to progress the investigation as we would have wanted to, but it became necessary then for us to make a public statement."

Reporter
"Just to clarify something. You said that your employees are free to use whatever language in your private conversations. Can you clarify then what is the policy in terms of conversations with clients over the counter or at cubicles where they are doing transactions with customers?"

Shaeleen Castillo, Manager - Retail Banking and Operations
"Communication is more important and so to relate to your customers you want to be able to relate to them in a language that is comfortable for them. So as we've said before we have absolutely no restrictions n terms of speaking Garifuna or any other language. So as you are there relating to your customers whatever language is comfortable for that customers, that is the language that is encourage that you use to speak with that customer."

Reporter
"For clarity sake as well you mentioned that you would not be speaking on HR and IR matters. Does this then include the employment status of Ms. Martinez?"

Shaeleen Castillo, Manager - Retail Banking and Operations
"No conversation on HR/IR matters."

The bank representative refused to comment on any human resources and industrial relations matters and say they are still undergoing their investigation.

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