Mennonites and Insurance
The reason for this topic is because I had a recent unpleasant incident with the Social Security system in this country. Perhaps another time, another place, I'll share it. But right now we'll focus on how it affects all the Mennonites.
Social Security Board is the only kind of insurance that most Belizeans have. In fact it is mandatory for all legal citizens, except Mennonites who are members of autonomous colonies. While it does provide a measure of comfort, it is actually the government's best (and legal) method of retaining some of your hard earned money.
Some of the younger German-speaking Mennonites own Social Security cards, but aside from using it now and then for legal paperwork, it is a useless piece of plastic. Non-German-speaking Mennonites like the Beachy and Holdemans do own cards since they have not been granted any self-ruling status, nor do they wish for it. They and all other Belizeans need to present this card in order to get a job, to maintain a job, to be compensated for work injury, maternity, sickness, etc. This all-important card is to them what the cedula is for the rest of Central America and the SIN card is to Canadians.
Mennonites from Blue Creek, Spanish Lookout, Shipyard and other communities have their own system of financial assistance for colony members.
There's plenty of insurance companies in Belize, private companies who do a better job of covering their clients than the SSB does. Modern Mennonites such as some Kleine Gemeinde, Holdemans, Beachy and the liberals hold some types of health, business and work insurance. Life insurance is strictly prohibited by all conservative Mennonites. Vehicle insurance is mandatory.
Mennonite or not, all employers, by law, are required to deduct their employee's SSB fee from his paycheck. It is a tiny percentage, less than half of the income tax percent, but a sore spot for farm workers who are earning minimum wage.
Social Security Board is the only kind of insurance that most Belizeans have. In fact it is mandatory for all legal citizens, except Mennonites who are members of autonomous colonies. While it does provide a measure of comfort, it is actually the government's best (and legal) method of retaining some of your hard earned money.
Some of the younger German-speaking Mennonites own Social Security cards, but aside from using it now and then for legal paperwork, it is a useless piece of plastic. Non-German-speaking Mennonites like the Beachy and Holdemans do own cards since they have not been granted any self-ruling status, nor do they wish for it. They and all other Belizeans need to present this card in order to get a job, to maintain a job, to be compensated for work injury, maternity, sickness, etc. This all-important card is to them what the cedula is for the rest of Central America and the SIN card is to Canadians.
Mennonites from Blue Creek, Spanish Lookout, Shipyard and other communities have their own system of financial assistance for colony members.
There's plenty of insurance companies in Belize, private companies who do a better job of covering their clients than the SSB does. Modern Mennonites such as some Kleine Gemeinde, Holdemans, Beachy and the liberals hold some types of health, business and work insurance. Life insurance is strictly prohibited by all conservative Mennonites. Vehicle insurance is mandatory.
Mennonite or not, all employers, by law, are required to deduct their employee's SSB fee from his paycheck. It is a tiny percentage, less than half of the income tax percent, but a sore spot for farm workers who are earning minimum wage.
