November 26, 2008
Editor Sir,
Over the years, I have read a few articles or comments from the publisher with respect to the role Assad Shoman allegedly played at various junctures in the life of Belize. In each case I have taken note of those comments. The most recent comments were in the Sunday, November 16, 2008 issue of Amandala. Although I cannot recall the first time I read your observation with respect to the relationship between Messrs Musa and Shoman, I find the writings to be very enlightening, informative and instructive. I am sure that the first time I read your commentary was prior to my stint as president of the Public Service Union of Belize, as I can recall saying to myself that I am witnessing what I have read in your pieces before. I could remember pondering at that time that this brother’s moves were extremely brilliant and that he was on top of his game, that he was smooth and bold.
I have had at least three occasions to marvel at the skill of these interventions. The second such occasion occurred in connection with the role played in quelling the public outcry over the treatment of the women working at the sewing factory that was located in Belmopan. We recalled that these ladies, being grossly underpaid, formed themselves in a union to protest these conditions. Those women were members of the Women Workers Union.
The next occasion, I remember expressing my observation that as the PSU we have a case history of these involvements, and if we are not going to repeat our mistakes, we must consult our history. Indeed the brilliance of the moves of early February 2005, as you describe it, is really a repeat performance of an earlier event in the life of unions in Belize. That earlier occasion was the first time that I thought I experienced that association and skill set of which you wrote.
I am writing to say that I too would like to see something written by the good gentleman that covers these events, and to say that the PSU has the history that chronicles these moves as it relates to interactions with the unions. We need to revisit our history. In it we will find these accounts. We will also find that the PSU represented the Hon. Montero in his battle with the government of the day, to his benefit, and we will also see that as a member of the PSU, Ms Merlene Bailey was recommended and received the approval of the NTUCB to represent unions’ and workers’ interests on the SSB investment committee. The PSU has the history, Jackie: use it.
Godwin Sutherland