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On Friday's news, we told showed you what the leaders of several unions had to say in response to the PUP's call for a demonstration against corruption in public life. 

The PUP turning up the public pressure on the Barrow Administration after the fall of senior Minister and leader-elect John Saldivar.  But, the opposition won't get any direct support from the unions, who want to steer clear of any accusation that they are showing favorites and behaving in a partisan political manner. 

The National Trade Union Congress of Belize, the umbrella union, has decided, however, that they want to protest in the name of good governance - and they plan to do so before the PUP hits the streets. That was the decision coming out of a weekend meeting of the NTUCB's leadership, and today, they hosted a press conference to announce that intent to the general public. 

Here's what the President had to say about 6 demands that they are making of the Barrow Government to improve the governance of the country:

Marvin Mora - President, NTUCB
"For the NTUCB, this is the beginning toward a movement that we hope that everybody will appreciate, and understand that, 1, it is a movement that is needed, and necessary, and should have happened already, 2, that it's a non-aligned movement, to any of the major and even the smaller political parties, and 3, that it must be, and has to be a movement by the people, and for the people. The NTUCB's position, in preparation for the demonstration are the following. First, no elections until the implementation of all campaign financing laws that mandate a) All existing and aspiring politicians to disclose the source of their campaign finance exceeding $1,000 Belize, b) to establish limits on campaign contributions from individual donors, and organization, as well as annual cumulative contributions, (eg., $4,000 Belize), and c), that politicians of political parties disclose an off official donors' list during campaign periods."

"2. No elections until the reconvening of meetings for the UNCAC Steering Committee, the adaption of recommendations from the executive summary, and begin procedures for the second phase of the UNCAC Process."

"3. No elections until the Senate Report on the Immigration Department is tabled, and for police investigations, and convictions where illegal actions are reported."

"4. No elections until the re-structuring of the Integrity Commission, and the Public Accounts Committee, for reduced government influence in roles and responsibilities, due to political appointees, and for more efficient oversight on government spending."

"5. No elections until the implementation of sanctions or penalties for individuals found liable, and or contravene, violated, or did not comply with the provisions of the Finance and Audit Reform Act #12 of 2005. And finally..."

"6. No elections until the start of an independent investigation into alleged wrongdoing by the former Minister of National Security, Hon. John Saldivar and all other named public officials, public servants, and individuals."

"What we're putting out here is that we're not willing. We're not going to be able to continue to support an administration in place not addressing these very doable issues within the months to come. We have from here all the way to February for the Government to address these properly. And we believe that they have more than enough time for them to sit down with us, dialog, and let us know when they can address these. And if they have any issues with regard to any of these items that we placed forward, the NTUCB is not going to play hard-headed if the factors that they present to us are solid factors."

Hon. Elena Smith - President, BNTU
"Any political party, which in our view, is our view is unwilling to address these matters - because we are accustomed to election time coming around and we are presented with a list of promises called a manifesto. The time for that is over now, and so, anybody who is unwilling to address these matters will be a clear indication to us that they prefer to continue governing in they've been accustomed to. That is not what we want. We want to see persons who are putting themselves up for political offices show that they are willing to make the necessary changes for this country, not for them, but for the country."

The NTUCB is also asserting that this demonstration has no partisan motivations. They say that they are engaging in a people movement and that this isn't an anti-UDP protest. Here's their public request for support from the general public, and why they are hoping that regular Belizeans will stand with them in big numbers:

Marvin Mora
"Our issues are not directly against any political party. We want to ensure that we all understand our position. The issues raised here are issues of governance, be it as it may, we understand also that none of the political parties would dare condone openly any act of corruption, or any act where our finances are misused. In effect, we are also stretching out for support from some of their membership in understanding that if we address these critical areas, those public black eyes that are received by both political parties, whenever they are in power, would either cease to exist or be down to an acceptable minimum. Our demonstration is a demonstration of the unions, yet, we're open for any organization that wants to come along join us, as long as they understand our movement is a people's movement."

Hon. Elena Smith
"You're asking whether the NTUCB has planned a demonstration. Coming out of Saturday's meeting, yes, we have, and that is set for this Thursday. And we're calling on all our partners, other social partners, students, the public in general. Because as Brother Mora mentioned just now, this is not a fight against a particular party or government. It's about our governance, and about our country, and for that reason, we're saying that all persons who are concerned about what's happening in the country. We're inviting those persons to come out and join us. As we said we are looking at a campaign, only the people can save the people, and if we will save this country, then we must join efforts and fight to do so."

Marvin Mora
"This is just the beginning. If it is that we're going to be met with resistance in our list of demands, obviously our strategic plan will have to kick in, and there is more to come. We will have to ensure then that we mobilize many more people."

This Thursday's demonstration is part of the NTUCB's "Only the people can save the people" campaign. We'll be there on Thursday to tell you how their demonstration and rally went.