A proposed overhaul of Belize’s tax system triggered a temporary shutdown across the country earlier today. Public officers abandoned their posts, bringing tax services to a standstill as they pushed back against legislation they say threatens their livelihoods and places too much power in the hands of the Minister of Finance. Tonight, the unions are warning that today’s walkout could be just the beginning. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Operations at Belize Tax Service offices across the country ground to a halt just before midday, as employees walked off the job to protest the proposed Revenue Authority Bill.
Dean Flowers
Dean Flowers, President, PSU
“Well I am very pleased with the report I received from the various offices of the Belize Tax Services departments. It shows me that the staff are taking ownership and taking responsibility for their future. Clearly their entire management team has a band on them, which is a damn shame. When your employees face the kind of anxiety and uncertainty about their job security, that is where true leaders show up and try to alleviate those fears. Instead, the management team at the BTSD has become parrots, no jobs will lose. They start repeat government nonsense. Shame on you and shame on the entire management team. You guys are disgraceful.”
Workers say the proposed authority would give the Minister of Finance too much control over major appointments and contracts, with fewer independent checks and balances. They are also concerned that Belize Tax Service employees could lose important public service protections, including pension security, Public Service Commission oversight, and guarantees of continued employment.
PSU Member #1
PSU Member #1
“The Public Service Union is not against reform. The PSU is not against revenue collection in Belize. This is about protecting workers.”
PSU Member #2
PSU Member #2
“Job Security is a major concern. Workers are concerned about the lack of clear guarantees regarding continued employment and the protection of their existing term of condition.”
“Solidarity, forever. Solidarity, forever. What do we want? Kill the bill. What do we want, kill the SARA Bill.”
“Kill The Bill”, that’s the chant heard outside of BTS offices across the country. PSU’s First Vice President Anissa Perdomo says workers are not receiving enough clarity and assurances from their management teams and the government on the proposed transition to the statutory body.
Anissa Perdomo
Anissa Perdomo, 1st Vice President, PSU
“Our message today was “kill the bill”. Even if they don’t kill the bill it definitely needs revision. So let’s see what is next. We will continue to stand up and our staff has made it very clear, this will not be the last time they will be out here.”
The workers have made their opposition clear, but can they derail a financial bill that is already on its way to the Senate?
Dean Flowers
“And of course we will be lobbying the social partner Senators that when that bill goes to the Senate that they reject it. Of course the government will say you all are wasting your time because it’s a money bill, it has to deal with finance. So, we could ram that through. Well, that is where the people will have to stand up.”
The Revenue Authority Bill is moving on to the Senate, but union leaders say they are just getting started. They want Belizeans to keep a close eye on what lawmakers do next. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
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.
