PSU Calls GOB lack of Response on SARA Concerns Disrespectful

It’s been nearly two weeks since the deadline came and went and there’s still no word from the Government of Belize to the Public Service Union. The union had raised serious concerns about the planned transformation of the Belize Tax Services Department into a Semi-Autonomous Revenue Authority, a statutory body run by a board of directors. The PSU says they were left out of key discussions and are worried about efficiency, costs, and, most importantly, the welfare of employees. With the government silent past the deadline, the union is now deciding its next move. Dean Flowers spoke bluntly; he called the government’s silence nothing short of outright disrespect.

 

Dean Flowers, President, Public Service Union

“So that is where we are. The continued disrespect from the director general, the continued disrespect and non-response from the Ministry of Finance and the complicity of the Ministry of Public Service, who is ultimately charged to look after the welfare of public offices. They’re complicit in this, in that they have not done absolutely anything to address the concerns that has been raised by dear employees who they’re being paid to look after. Given that sad reality where the Ministry of Finance, and I guess by extension, the Prime Minister believes that he can take the largest revenue generating a authority and do with it as he sees fit. I guess under the misguided illusion that it is his private business. We have no other choice now, but to go to a membership. Our membership have been tasked to complete a survey to advise us as to the degree of disruption that they’re prepared to embark on immediately or otherwise. We are meeting with the general membership of the BTSD and by extension public offices to see the level of support that we have across the public service in addressing this matter head on. And so we hope to have that meeting tomorrow and I’m hoping that coming out of that meeting we will get a clear sense of direction as to whether we will concede or whether we will start with the disruption of services in the tech services department.”