Calls for reinstatement of Integrity Commission and adoption of UN Convention Against Corruption
The continuing lobby by a group of former workers of Belize Water Services (BWS) dismissed in February has again brought to light the difficulties which terminated or dismissed workers often face in bringing closure to such conflicts. While these workers were dismissed 10 months ago, the case of Nelson Young, a former employee of the Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL), has been unresolved for 8 long years.
Amandala was able to confirm that the case of the BWS workers was not raised by their union at the 47th Annual General Meeting of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize, which was held in Punta Gorda Town, Toledo District, this past weekend, but the case of Nelson Young was discussed, and the NTUCB has issued a public statement demanding its finalization.
It added that, “Not only do we demand that immediate closure be brought to this case, but we also demand that the requisite remuneration to ALL members of the Essential Services Tribunal, sitting on this case, is also dispensed forthwith!”
The NTUCB also highlighted the case of former BSI worker, Julio Gongora, who has been seeking court redress on the basis of his claim that he was unfairly dismissed. The NTUCB said that the case seems to have been in abeyance for over two years now.
“This abeyance is what the NTUCB now takes issue with, and by so doing asks the court to fast-forward the conclusion of the matter,” the NTUCB said, urging that the matter should be expedited.
A third issue raised by the NTUCB is one which it says is “vexatious.” Parliament is this week holding what our newspaper understands to be the final business session for 2013, and the NTUCB calls on the Government to introduce the Occupational Safety and Health Bill for at least its first reading this week.
An NTUCB official told us that the issue of the salary adjustment sought by teachers and public officers was not on the AGM’s agenda, and a joint meeting of Government and the unions is expected to take place shortly.
The NTUCB is also issuing a call, following a resolution at the AGM, for the Government of Belize to reactivate the Integrity Commission. It also issued a declaration in support of calls for Government to adopt the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
Two officers were elected to the Executive Council: Jose Ruiz of the Belize Energy Workers Union was selected to serve as treasurer, to replace Lorelei Westby of the Belize Water Services Workers Union, and Jorge Mejia was elected as trustee for a one-year term, 2013 -2014.
We understand that the CWU, which was expelled from the NTUCB earlier this year, was not represented at the AGM. One stevedore, we understand, attended as observer.