Last night, we told you about the council of church's pro-ICJ position. As we noted, it was quite surprising to see that usually reticent group come forward with a progressive position on a controversial, divisive issue.
And, while the Council of Churches does not court controversy - the National Trade Union Congress of Belize usually has no trouble playing that role. So why hasn't that frontline trade union umbrella group come forward with tis position? That's what we asked the President Marvin Mora today:
Marvin Mora, President - NTUCB
"The NTUCB, based on principle, cannot take a solid position, especially given the fact that we represent a cross section of the society but more so because the principle in question, even though the results will be a collective result, whether we go or we don't go, the reality is that in principle it is a question that is directed at each one of us individually."
Jules Vasquez- Reporter
"How would you answer the criticism that it is a none political issue of national importance and you are dodging."
Marvin Mora, President - NTUCB
"No, actually it is not only a none political issue. It is actually an issue that doesn't have to do directly with labor. It is a national issue. It is bigger than labor, bigger than politics, in fact, it is as big as history. And that is one of the main reasons why we are staying away from subverting people to our opinion. Our opinion is that everyone must do their best to get informed of the facts; and not only one side of the facts but both sides. Both of them have very pretty strong arguments."
We also asked Mora whether the individual unions under the NUTCB umbrella would be coming up with their own position on the ICJ referendum:
Jules Vasquez- Reporter
"Will the individual members, the unions that are members of the NTUCB, will they be declaring a position? Such as the BNTU, the PSU, the CWU and other groups."
Marvin Mora, President - NTUCB
"Honestly, I don't see that happening but each one of those unions are autonomous. But from the discussions that we've had, and we've had some pretty long discussions at the general council in regard to this question, it is obvious that it would not be advisable. In fact, it wouldn't be advisable for any one single group to take a solid position on any side of the question. The reality is though that we live in a society that is usually polarized."
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