So? My husband and I would like to spend a month in Belize in March 2010. He is a mechanic/ handyman/ mari-time operator and has more energy than I'd like to admit and would need some kind of labor to do if we stay that amount of time. We would be interested in exchanging housing for labor. Whatever is needed. He would be willing to work 30-40 hrs./wk. I'm not interested in violation of labor laws / visa regs... just a genuine need. We have two young children and need the location to be approriate. If you know any such situation- rsvp-

"I'm not interested in violation of labor laws / visa regs... just a genuine need."

Nice attitude!

Grinch!

Wonder what they would say if I posted the same thing in their hometown (especially if I was born in Central America).

MYOB Simon!

Simon, you are a friend, but you need to take a deep breath and ease up

Sorry, but after seeing all of the difficulties that Belizean friends of mine have encountered just entering the US or Canada (not a chance) never mind working there it ticks me off when someone explicitly says they are looking for work here no matter the laws. If they were asking for advice on permit requirements it would be a whole different ballgame.

Been to the US lately?

i have to agree with simon...i wish that the u.s. had the same rules as belize does...anyone can come in and have more rights than the citizens do....belize on the other hand, doesn't want anyone that can't sustain themselves for a year...another burden per se...u have to go thru the process, and once you do!!!!i tried for residency back in 2004, and failed, cuz i listened to others, instead of myself...i have another shot now and i will make it this time...u have to abide by the rules, don't cut corners....

Simon, you delivered food to Rykat and you didn't take advantage of the situation? Or maybe you did. You'll have to tell me in person. Don't every try to have a rational discussion with rabidly mean and irrational people. It is pointless.

Kerry. Good luck with your next residency attempt. I'll miss the grits but we'll be glad to have you back in Belize.

i'm with simon too - do it the right way and stop breaking the laws. get work THAT A BELIZEAN CANNOT DO & a get a WORK PERMIT. pay your permit fees and don't take labor work away from locals who can do that work. what she is asking is against the law there, period, and no one (let alone an admin) should advocate doing it on a public message board. if he can get hired for a job a belizean cannot do, and the employer is willing to help them get a work permit (like we were trying to do fees & all - the right way - but STILL couldnt afford to live there), then of course they have my full support, which is worth zero here.

-signed, an almost-was-but-not-gonna-be future legal resident

"I'm not interested in violation of labor laws / visa regs... just a genuine need."
Wow, I read this to mean just the opposite from the other intrepretation being put forward here. More like "I'm not interested in violating the local labour laws but if it would not be violating the law I have a need"
Being one who always has her foot in her mouth, I would rather give her the benefit of the doubt and assume that her choice of words was not the greatest before getting out the tar and feathers. Hopefully she will see what Simon read and clarify, cause it is rather bold for someone to come on here and ask help to circumvent the law.

If I read it wrong I'm sure I would have been corrected when the poster reviewed the responses. That hasn't happened so I can only assume that I read it correctly (I saw the user logged on yesterday in the Who's Online box beside this post).

I guess I am still surprised by the lack of morals and sense of social responsibility of people.

very good point, red. personally, i was replying to a response, rather than the original post. i'm sure the poster didn't mean harm.

I'm still having a hard time reading it any other way but then again maybe I'm just bitchy.

Thanks lil red' you are absolutely correct! Wow- seriosly? I just meant we would like to visit the country and pay back to someone who might have a need for some help. Yes- It appears I misused my words and Simon- dude- you're quick to resent and be angry. I get it k? People are misusing labor avenues according to your words. I actually read your reply about five times to Labor guy before I wrote my blog just so I didn't come across as being 'one of those.' I'm not one of them. Please, let me rephrase. I'd like to visit for a month with my family. My husband needs physical labor to maintain his sanity. Seriously. He can't just sit around. If that means a work permit or other conversations- I welcome them. I accessed this board for productive ideas not accusations and assumptions that are irritating. I've never done reader board before so my lingo is a bit immature.

(I'm sure the poster didn't mean harm)I so agree Jane,we all need to educate them.They need to know this can be devastating for our fellow struggling islanders.Give it a shot if ya like, if it doesn't work out John Woods always needs labor,free food and lodging. Consider volunteering

You read wrong no biggie,would he like to build for a non-profit??

FOR SURE!

I also have to add that my only experiences with friends relocating to the caribbean was through recruiting (hospitals, hospitality, musicians) so it is no surprise that people assume there is a need, never mind wanting to work or contribute (me too - my skill sets just don't match needs here at the moment so that's ok). Let's not be so quick to judge one another pls as most of us gringos do contribute to the economy - i'm just saying....

kool- well said- :-}

And one more thing Simon- just because I didn't repsond to your accusations and ill ininterrpreted assumptions according to your timeline... doesn't mean I am trying to avoid the legal ramifications that working in your country allows. I am not. Nor is my family. I chose not to reply to your (rude)responses deliberately... Although your ferver for this topic is nobile.. your haste and judgement are questionable. Enough-

VERY well put, Aquagirl!!

i was under the impression that even volunteering without a permit is also illegal?

simon's a good guy (if not a lil bitchy ) and means well - don't come down hard on him. i think he's just being protective of a system that is constantly being abused, to the detriment of belizeans, because some gringo quietly says its ok to. (sorry for dangling my participle)

Anyone looking to volunteer should look for an advocate to got to the Mayor, Minister and most important immigration.Volunteers welcome,DON'T skip any steps.

We need volunteers at the library and would really appreciate any help that we get. We need to build new shelving, teach computer classes, recycle books etc. Drop by and talk to the head librarian, Iracella Acosta

Thank you- I must first though stay true to my word and talk to immigration and see what steps must be followed in order for us to do so. Do you have any ideas for reasonble housing during a 30 day period?

SAGA Humane Society often needs volunteers too, i think.

you can try the "lodgings" link (tiny print at top of page), and email some of the management companies - there are semi-long term rentals available.

sometimes if you post that you require 30 day lodgings on the 'about AC' section, individual owners & management may contact you with a deal.

good luck

Dang Simon we just this week had our roof replaced. By Mexicans. Wonder how many of them had a work visa? BTW they got paid extra from what the contractor was paying them. We DO appreciate how hard they work.