Tax Service Staff to Meet Amid Pushback Over Statutory Body Transition

The Public Service Union (PSU) will be holding a meeting with the staff of the Belize Tax Service Department (BTSD), after it was revealed this week that the service will be transitioning into a statutory body. PSU President Dean Flowers wrote to BTSD employees yesterday, informing them of a meeting that was held on Wednesday, July 16. At that meeting, representatives from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Public Service met with leaders of the Association of Public Service Senior Managers (APSSM) and the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU). The BTSD made a presentation on the proposed conversion, which unions say they were never consulted on, despite constitutional requirements. Union officials reported that government officials and BTSD management were unable provide clear answers or data to their many questions.  This, according to the union leaders, prevents the union from having an informed opinion on the transition. The concerns include potential negative impacts on BTSD staff due to unilateral changes in their terms of service. There are also worries about the Belizean economy, citing a proposed 59% increase in employees and potentially tripled salaries and administrative costs if market-driven compensation is implemented. The union is requesting more information from BTSD management and will hold a meeting for interested staff on Tuesday, July 29 to discuss the proposed changes.