NTUCB Emphasizes Need for Campaign Finance Reform

Belize’s next General Election may still be more than a year away, but pressure on the government is already mounting. Social partners say they’re not waiting until campaign season to be heard, and they’re challenging leaders now to make good on reforms promised ahead of the last two elections.  As the Opposition gears up for the next political fight, renewed questions are being asked about who really pays for election campaigns, and what Belizeans pay in return. With no campaign finance laws on the books, critics warn that unchecked spending leaves the door wide open to corruption and undue influence. Trade unions say when big money backs politicians, workers often lose out through stalled wages, weak protection, and public funds used to repay political favors. Now, the National Trade Union Congress of Belize is pushing the issue back into the spotlight, calling for real action on campaign finance reform.

 

Ella Waight, President, National trade Union Congress of Belize

“We had already shared one draft already some years ago, but we just wanted to revise, revive the conversation and to ensure that we have now a way forward with it. So we’ll be doing that, reaching out to BCCI to see what we can come with, come up with regionally. Redistricting.”

 

Shane Williams

“And before you go forward, why is campaign financing important to the union?”

 

Ella Waight

“Remember, we represent workers and we always hear about corruption when it comes to campaigning, when it comes to election day and because the limited resources we have in this country must be spent wisely, we cannot allow that we have business or large entities or large people with great finances sponsoring parties when it comes to election time, and then they have to reimburse these favors. That then takes away from workers in ensuring that we get basic things such as a salary adjustment. So it is important to us. We have to ensure that there’s good governance and having a finance legislation for campaign financing is very important.”