The buses will keep running for now, but a nationwide strike remains on the table. The Belize Bus Association has agreed to wait until Cabinet meets on Thursday, August twenty-seventh, to consider extending the diesel subsidy. President Philip Jones says convincing operators to hold off was difficult, especially as soaring fuel costs continue to squeeze the industry.
Philip Jones
Philip Jones, President, Belize Bus Association
“We sent out three letter before, and we haven’t gotten any response from the Department of Transport or the minister until yesterday. We sent a letter the fifteenth of July. We sent a letter, I believe it was the fourth and then we sent a third letter around the sixteenth asking for a sit-down to meet and let’s discuss the extension of the subsidy. Because, as you’re all aware, the crisis have not ceased. It picked up actually and it’s a real challenge for the bus operators. And we have been asking about a month and a half for a meeting with the Minister of Transport to sit down to see what we can come up with to assist the bus operators that are not a part of the NBC, of course. I had received a letter yesterday from the CEO stating that the minister will meet with Cabinet and the PM, I believe it’s on the 27th and they will discuss how they can assist the bus operator in terms of the extension of the subsidy that was ended on the end of July. But for the time being right now, the members say, “Hey, what we can…” Hold up until cabinet meet next week, and after cabinet meeting, we need to see some positive results from that meeting. If not, they won’t be able to run the following day, and that’s the position of the members’ majority.”
Bus Owners Upset with CEO Chester Williams
The threat of a bus strike is not only about fuel subsidies. Association President Philip Jones says operators are also angry over comments made by Chief Executive Officer Chester Williams, which they viewed as dismissive and disrespectful. Jones says he is trying to keep members calm, but warns that more insensitive remarks could push tensions even higher.
Philip Jones
Philip Jones, President, Belize Bus Association
“I have been in dialogue with the members, and took some convincing to do because, it had been a month, and time has passed, a month and a half, basically, and they’re taking a lick. And I just want to appeal to the general public, man. This is the last alternative from the bus operators. These are God-fearing, hardworking, honest Belizeans working, and all they want to do is just to provide for their family. And they take great offense with the interview yesterday where the, the representative from the government was laughing, and they find that very insulting very distasteful. And and they vent to me throughout yesterday and today. And now they want the BBA now to align themself with the align themself now with the unions. This have been something that they have never brought up strongly before, but now this is the position they want to go in. And like I said, this is a serious matter. I, I generally don’t like for us to reach this point here. It’s unfortunate we’re in this quagmire here, but it could have been avoided. We have, we have been reaching out to the minister, three letter prior to this one that was yesterday, for a meeting, for a sit down, something.”
PM Warns Bus Operators: Stop Spreading Fear
The Bus Association wants its fuel subsidy back, and Cabinet is preparing to discuss the request. But Prime Minister John Briceño says operators should make their case without frightening commuters with the threat of a strike. Here is how he put it.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“This is a matter for Cabinet. The last time they came and they made a compelling case and we agreed to give them a subsidy. But you can’t govern by fear. Come on, make a case. Now they said they sent it in about a month ago. Probably they did, but the point is now that it has not gone to Cabinet. We are going to take a look at it and if we can we will give it. If we can’t then we will say, I am sorry we can’t do it at this moment and it is up to them. If they want to strike, like I tell everybody, it is your right, guaranteed under the constitution.”
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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