By Breaking Belize News Staff: The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) has given Prime Minister John Briceño until Friday, August 28, to provide a written response to 11 demands, led by a call for the immediate removal of Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) Chairman Markhelm Lizarraga and three other board members.
In a letter dated August 24, NTUCB General Secretary Timothy Dami said the demands were first presented during the Congress’s August 18 press conference and stem from concerns over what the organization describes as a loss of public and worker confidence in BTL’s leadership, questionable financial practices and a lack of consultation with shareholders and workers. The NTUCB is calling for the immediate removal of Lizarraga along with board members Moises Cal, Arturo Lizarraga and Eric Eusey.
The BTL controversy intensified earlier this month over the company’s proposed BZ$80 million acquisition of Speednet Communications, operators of SMART. Cabinet announced on August 13 that it did not support the proposed acquisition. Prime Minister Briceño has since pushed back against calls to remove the BTL board members, arguing that the board had not decided to purchase Speednet but had instead authorized further due diligence, and saying he did not agree with the unions’ assessment of the board.
Beyond BTL, the NTUCB is demanding the establishment of a tripartite governance and consultation structure at the company; restructuring of the Public Utilities Commission to include broader social-partner representation; appointment of a dedicated liaison between the Prime Minister’s Office and organized labour; and finalization of whistle-blower protection and campaign finance reform legislation.
The unions are also seeking enforcement of the Civil Asset Recovery and Unexplained Wealth Act, the filling of the vacant Ombudsman post, and support for the Public Service Union’s call regarding the Revenue Authority Bill. The latter demand comes after the Revenue Authority Bill was passed by the House of Representatives on Friday despite objections from the PSU over consultation and the proposed governance structure.
The submission also contains specific demands from the Belize National Teachers’ Union and the University of Belize Faculty and Staff Union, including changes to teachers’ vacation periods and salary arrangements, repayment of certain salaries, increased government funding for the University of Belize and the creation of an independent scholarship oversight mechanism.
The NTUCB has requested an urgent meeting with the Prime Minister to establish an implementation schedule and is demanding a written response to each item by August 28. It says the measures are intended to strengthen accountability, transparency and participation by workers and social partners in national decision-making.
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By Breaking Belize News Staff: The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) has given Prime Minister John Briceño until Friday, August 28, to provide a written response to 11 demands, led by a call for the immediate removal of Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) Chairman Markhelm Lizarraga and three other board members. In a letter
The post NTUCB gives PM until Friday to answer 11 demands; wants BTL chairman, board members out appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
