Government Moves to Calm Tax Service Employees

Tax department employees walked off the job nationwide last week, sending a clear message that they are deeply concerned about their future. At the center of the dispute is the Revenue Authority Bill, which would transform the Belize Tax Services Department into a semi-autonomous body. Workers fear the change could threaten their job security, while others question the broad powers the legislation would give the Minister of Finance, Prime Minister John Briceño. Today, Public Service Minister Henry Charles Usher moved to ease those concerns.

 

Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service

“I have said this before and I will continue to say this, as the minister of public service my job is to ensure that the employees of any government institution are treated fairly, get the information they need so that they can make an informed decision going forward. The policy decision to move toward a revenue authority is one that has already been supported, and so I have to make sure that whatever happens with those employees, if they are going to remain there in the new entity, if they come into the wider public service, or if they decide to move on, we have to make sure to get the information, that they are treated fairly and they have an opportunity to make an informed decision. So that is my role.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Beyond the concerns of employments, there are also concerns about undue power being placed in the hands of a single minister, the minister of finance, an overreach. Do you think that is an accurate assessment the PSU is putting forward?”

 

Henry Charles Usher

“I think that question should be asked of the Minister of Finance, the Ministry of Finance, the Financial Secretary. My job is look out for the employees of the institution, to look out for all the public officers to as I said, make sure they get the right information.”

 

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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