And while the nurses marched today for their cause, the NUTCB marched on Thursday with a much angrier tone. And they met with the Prime Minister on Friday for just about three hours to discuss their list of demands. The meeting wasn't publicized, but we know all about it because the minutes have been circulated by Whatsapp.
We've read most of the two thousand words of it and a few things jumped out. First, on the implementation of UNCAC, the PrimeMinister said that the UNDP has informed the Attorney General that the Government cannot proceed with implementation of the recommendations made until the full report is completed. He added that there would be no more funding or technical assistance given if GOB were to proceed with implementation of the Executive Summary. Belize should have the final report by the 7th March, 2020.
And, regarding the Special Senate Select Committee Report on Immigration, the PM told the union leaders that the report is almost complete but Senator Salazar is uncertain as to how the report will be publicized because he is alleging that he does not have quorum. The PM told the union leaders that Senator Salazar has complained to him that he was basically abandoned by other senators during the drafting of the report. Specifically, the minutes say, Senator Salazar called out Senator Elena Smith for not assisting him with the report.
As for the the Integrity Commission, the PM told the group he is satisfied with the work of the commissioner and will not change the manner in which the members are appointed or the composition as he believes the majority rules. And he said the same for the composition of the Public Accounts Committee. As for Campaign Finance Laws, the PM told the unions he supports the idea. He is indirectly quoted as saying he wants the NGOs, BCCI, Council of Churches, National Evangelical Association and NTUCB to look at models that could work for Belize. The PM also committed to funding a consultant or drafts man for the legal work and country wide consultations.
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