Unions Slam Government Contracts in Wage Fight, Minister of State in Finance Responds

As the unions clamor for an increase in wages, one point of contention they have highlighted is the contracts that the government is engaging in.  For instance, the airports contract and those related to the Toledo Credit Union, have fueled the unions to fight harder.  Their argument is that if the government could engage in these contracts then they could find the money to accommodate the 8.5 salary increase.  Minister of State for Finance, Chris Coye, however, has argued that it is not so clear cut.  Additionally, Coye noted that the government is in the process of streamlining the issuances of contracts.

Christopher Coye, Minister of State (Finance): “I think in terms of the airport authority matter, my understanding is that has been addressed at the level of the Belize Airport Authority. That is not strictly speaking a central government issue but in terms of what you referred to at the beginning about centralized procurement, I 100 % endorse a process of centralizing procurement, it does take a lot of effort. I think at that level we are in the process of completing the draft procurement law that looks to accomplish that. We will have to then take that to the cabinet for consideration and ultimately  approval. But that definitely, I think, is a way of managing  central government’s finances in an efficient way.  Belize Airport Authority, unfortunately, is still not under that because it’s a separate statutory body. So it is important that they still maintain appropriate amount of procedures and policies.”