Unions Demand Greater Transparency From Prime Minister’s Office

Among the list of demands presented by the unions was the call for greater transparency from the Office of the Prime Minister, particularly when decisions involve major public assets or government-controlled companies.  At this morning’s press conference, NTUCB President Ella Waight presented a wider list of demands developed by the unions, church representatives and the Belize Network of NGOs.  Waight says information surrounding major government decisions must be shared with the public and social partners before those decisions reach an advanced stage.

Ella Waight, President, NTUCB: “We are demanding a formal accountability structure with the Prime Minister, direct meetings every six months, minimum and written reviews with named responsible officers of government officials every three months to monitor commitments made. And why we say this is because we have had two meetings so far, at least under my presidency, with the Prime Minister. We’ve been promised documents, promised drafts, promised information, deadlines were given and nothing has been passed on to the union for us to review and to meet back. There is no contact person that we have in the Prime Minister’s office where we can go to to ensure we get these documents. So this is the first demand that we are asking for. If there are any outstanding internal BTL broad processes, and our brothers will explain at further, resolutions, approvals or corporate requirements necessary to conclude the closure of the rejection of the acquisition process these should be done urgently and transparently. The public to be informed when these processes have been completed not held behind those doors.”

The NTUCB is also taking the position that government business should first be offered to Belize Telemedia Limited.  Waight says that, as a company in which the government and Social Security Board have significant investments, BTL should be given priority when ministries and government departments procure telecommunications services.

Ella Waight, President, NTUCB: “Every dollar BTL earns feeds back into the public revenue, workers pension and national infrastructure. 100% channeling of government business. The NTUCB’s stance is non-negotiable. All government business, statutory board contracts and public sector communication services must be funneled directly through BTL. Tax payers must not subsidize private corporate profits when a state owned enterprise is fully equipped to serve public needs. Lastly, mandatory procurement policy. We formally call on Cabinet to institute an immediate policy requiring 100% of government telecommunications business to remain with BTL. Protecting operational revenue and keeping public money within public entities is vital. Members, no company should receive preferential treatment because of political, family or other connections. It must be because we the people of Belize say so, let it be to BTL.”

Incidentally, this demand counters Speednet’s position of having government telecommunications contracts be placed out to public tender so that both companies can compete for the business.