PSU No Longer Needed for Belize Tax Service Employees?

The Public Service Union is applying pressure on the Government of Belize regarding the transition of Belize Tax Services into a Semi-Autonomous Revenue Authority. Among concerns raised, is the claim that the Public Service Union will no longer act as the bargaining agent between employees of the tax service and the Government of Belize. President of the PSU, Dean Flowers, is now calling on the Government of Belize to respond to their concerns before the union takes further actions.

 

Dean Flowers, President, Public Service Union

“So we’re trying to safeguard the revenues that are ultimately earmarked for public services and secondary, we’re trying to safeguard the welfare of the public offices, all two hundred of them that stand to get affected by this matter whether negatively or otherwise. We would’ve asked the Prime Minister with the greatest of respect method providers with a response. And I believe we would’ve set an October third deadline. This would’ve been a second response. None has been forthcoming. On the contrary, I understand from members within the services department, that on the contrary to any good faith conversations or discussions with the Public Service Union, the director General is quoted as saying that any transition to SARA will pretty much see the PSU removed and not recognized as the bargaining agent for those public officers. And I don’t take those kind of foolish comments very lightly because that is exactly what I think they are foolish.”

 

We also reached out to Director General of the Belize Tax Service, Michelle Longsworth, about the concerns. While unable to provide an interview, she responded, “once the SARA is established, employees will no longer be public officers under the Public Service, but employees of the new authority. This means they will be free to organize or form their own staff association or union, should they choose to do so. What is still being carefully reviewed is how current members of the PSU would be affected once they transition, since technically they will no longer fall under the public service framework. However, I can assure you that this matter will be addressed in consultation with all relevant parties to ensure that employees’ rights to representation and collective bargaining are fully protected.”