Critical Social Partners Meeting Missed Before Telecom Decision

A key meeting on the proposed BTL/Speednet acquisition was supposed to happen today, but it never got off the ground. Cabinet members were scheduled to hear directly from the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the National Trade Union Congress of Belize about their concerns over the controversial deal. But the Chamber says its president and CEO had long-standing commitments as part of an official Belize delegation to El Salvador, and asked for the meeting to be briefly rescheduled. With the Chamber absent, the NTUCB also chose not to attend. We spoke with NTUCB President Ella Waight.

 

Ella Waight, President, NTUCB

“When we first got the invitation from the Cabinet Secretary for the meeting, it was BCCI and NTUCB. We would have attended if BCCI would have attended today. They had already made plans to be out of the country, so they had asked that we reschedule the meeting to next week. At that same time we were still forming the coalition of the social partners. So without forming that as yet, BCCI and NTUCB would have attended, would have said yes, if BCCI could have attended today. We asked for a postponement to next week. However we did not get a positive reply. We did not even get a response. So that was in abbey until when the coalition came about. When the coalition came about we all signed on to saying that we need this information, we need to ensure that all the social partners could attend any meeting, but of course we need the information we have asked for, to analyses it, to be able to present to the Cabinet meeting. So in this situation, even if there was a postponement to next week it would have entailed that all social partners attend. I could understand to some extent why the prime minister thought it should have only been BCCI or NTUCB, because as per the tripartite structure, it is the employer representative and the workers’ representative and government that makes up the structure. But that is for labor issues. This is far beyond a labor issue. This is a national issue. It should have been that all social partners would have been invited to that meeting to make their presentation.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Could it have been deemed as a missed opportunity, because BCCI chose to go to El Salvador instead of staying for this meeting?”

 

Ella Waight

“No I think NTUCB would have done the same. These international meetings we have to attend, they are very crucial for our constituents and they cost money.”

 

NTUCB Turns Up Heat Over BTL-Speednet Deal

 

The NTUCB is turning up the heat on the Briceño administration over the proposed BTL/Speednet acquisition. It begins tomorrow with “Blackout Friday,” a call for members and the wider public to wear black in protest of the deal. Then, on Tuesday, the union congress plans to lead peaceful demonstrations in Belmopan and Belize City. NTUCB President Ella Waight says the two-part action is about unity, visibility, and making sure government hears the concerns being raised across the country.

 

Ella Waight, President, NTUCB

“What we are calling tomorrow’s blackout is phase one, which is an action that the union usually takes. We do soft actions to demonstrate whatever issue we are going through, whatever objection we have. So, tomorrow’s blackout Friday is a strong objection to the acquisition of Speednet Smart. It is our way of lodging our objections. We are asking workers, employers, students, all Belizeans to stand in solidarity by wearing black. Wear black to work, black to wherever you are going tomorrow and to take a picture and post it your social media platform so that other Belizeans know that you are taking a stand as to no to the acquisition at this time. We are also asking for you to speak out. It is an opportunity to speak on your social media platform or if you meet anyone on the street. Speak out as to why you do not support the acquisition of Speednet Smart at this time. That is phase one. Phase two is where we elevate the actions we will take. On Tuesday the eighteen of July we are planning a demonstration in Belize City and Belmopan. IN Belize City it will be in front of the BTL headquarters from ten a.m. to one p.m. In Belmopan it will be in front of the administration buildings, same time, ten a.m. to one p.m. What we are asking is for persons coming from Corozal, Orange Walk, San Pedro and those in Belize City to gather in front of the BTL Headquarters and those coming from Punta Gorda, Stann Creek and Cayo to gather in front of the admin building in Belmopan. This way we will be in position to take our stand in two prime locations.”

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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