BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Apr. 22, 2021– The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) is urging the Government of Belize and the Joint Unions to return to the negotiating table in good faith to resolve the current issues between them.

The Chamber notes that if the standoff between the unions and the government continues on the current path, it “will add more strain to an economy already under severe stress.”

The BCCI release stated that with a decline of 14% in the economy last year, and an expected projected recovery of only 2% in 2021, both sides must be cautious in their decisions going forward to avoid worsening an already dire situation.

“”As we stated earlier this year, while the economy may need the preservation of as much spending power as possible (to help in the speed of recovery)… it must also be acknowledged that Belize’s fiscal space is especially constrained,” the BCCI pointed out in its release. “These are inescapable realities, the solution to which cannot be found if negotiations break down,” the release stated.

The release said that the BCCI has been engaged with leaders from both sides and believes that a feasible solution can still be arrived at, if negotiations continue in good faith.

“The BCCI, whose vision is geared towards ‘promoting economic vitality and quality of life in Belize,’ calls on both the Government and the Unions to return to the negotiating table so as to resolve the difference and find solutions that not only ‘do no further harm’ to an already devastated economy but that, in fact, address its long-developing ills with a view to bringing Belize back to real sustainable growth,” the BCCI release said.

The release states that the BCCI remains ready to assist in the mediation of a settlement.