The National Trade Union Congress of Belize held a press conference
this evening. It was broadcasted nationwide on three radio stations and the
purpose was for the union to make its position known on the KHMH Commission
of Inquiry, the Venezuelan housing project, and of course the amendment to the
Settlement of Disputes in Essential Services Act.
The unions say that they are satisfied with the commissioners and the
terms of reference of the commission appointed to investigate those allegations
of wrongdoing at the KHMH. And while they are in agreement with the Commission
of Inquiry, they are in total disagreement with the amendment to the Settlement
of Disputes in Essential Services Act. It was tabled in the House two weeks
ago and since then it has kicked up a firestorm of controversy. Most of the
stomping is from the unions who claim they weren’t consulted and more
importantly – they say the amendment is an attempt by government to suppress
any form of industrial action. As we’ve been reporting – the amendment
would ban sickouts and go slows by essential service employees. Paul Perriot,
first Vice President of the Trade Union Congress says the amendment is illegal
and immoral.
Paul Perriott, 1st Vice President – NTUCB
“Banning of industrial action or any form of industrial action as
these amendments are proposing or any other form of concerted action constitute
a serious violation of freedom of association. These amendments violate fundamental
rights and it breaches the basic rights we have as employees. This amendment
if passed into law will be immoral and legally wrong.”
Jackie Willoughby-Sanchez, PSU President
“I have no other recourse but to go with the words of the Prime Minister: 
this bill was passed into law because the doctors went out on sick leave. Once
again we find another reason to penalize the worker. Once again the government
is treating the workers of this country as liability on the balance sheet as
opposed to assets. We (they) did not legislate laws to stop corruption. We did
not come and say anybody involved in whatever happened at the Karl Heusner would
face any kind of legal recourse but we had to come to the table and quickly
pass into law a law that will stop workers from standing up their rights. That
is serious business. We don’t take that lightly.
Having go-slows, having sickouts, having work to rule and that kind of
thing are the only recourses that we have as unions. Taking those away amount
to hamstringing and muzzling the unions. That is what you are doing. That is
what it is tantamount to.
I could recall when our very own Prime Minister and I quote, thanks to
Channel 7, ‘I am proud to be associated in some small way with them. Civil
disobedience is a legitimate tool of democratic defense.’ What is that?
Were those just words because at that time they were the opposition? Were those
just words?”
Under the revised act, unions would have to serve government a 28 day
notice intended strike action. Currently it’s only 21 days. The unions
claim that will simply buy the government more time to drag its feet.
Also discussed was the Venezuelan housing money program. The unions
chose not to participate in the regional oversight committees after they felt
government had gone ahead and made many consequential decisions on its own.
That’s where the matter rested since January, but when we publicised their
absence last month, that’s when the unions decided to get back in on the
committees. Both the Prime Minister Dean Barrow and Housing Minister Michael
Finnegan have publicly stated that it is a little too late for the unions. The
unions however disagree and are still clamouring for representation.
Javier Roberts, NTUCB General Secretary
“Although the, as you said, the Prime Minister and the government
is adamant, we are still requesting an audience to discuss, to give the process
a chance because similarly like how we are requesting the chapter 298 to ensure
that the process works, we are implementing that, we are following that. We
are giving the process a chance.”
Jackie Willoughby-Sanchez,
“There is absolutely no honesty in the fact of the Trade Union Congress
saying that we did not want to participate. You see when government calls you
to the table and they start the discussion, it seems to me that the discussion
is to say, ‘we have talked to the Trade Union Congress,’ but they
do not stop to say, ‘oh but the Congress didn’t agree with how we
were doing business.’ We are speaking about $2.5 million. That is all
that was spent. $18 million remains. Do you not think that we can still get
our calculators and add and count and check on that $18 million?”
The unions hope to have that meeting with the Prime Minister after
he returns from vacation.
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