Said Musa Says Government is Mishandling FCIB Situation

Said Musa

Not surprisingly, former Prime Minister and Fort George Area Rep., Said Musa, disagreed with that position by G.O.B. He claims that the entire situation has been mishandled because of government’s refusal to get involved, and that’s why it’s gotten to this point where so many workers will soon be out of doors.

Said Musa, Area Rep., Fort George

“The very fact that you pose that question, Mister Speaker…he is asking how do you protect the staff. You protect them by meeting with the people and discussing with the principals involved to ensure that their interests are protected, to ensure that they get their pension rights, to ensure that they get all their benefits, to ensure that when for instance you have a health insurance group schemes….when should they put in their claims, when will it stop, when will be the appointed date. They need to know all these things, man. These people are Belizeans, you know. You are talking about Belizean workers. You have a right to be involved. And this government; if it had any sense of responsibility, if it is such a nationalistic government, should be concerned about the workers of Belize.  There’s some very little things, Mister Speaker…I understand, for instance, First Caribbean Bank has a point scheme that if you use their credit card—I think it is visa, whatever—you are allotted certain points and when you use that card often enough, these points have a value. What is going to happen to that value? Many of these staff members who have been using that card, indeed customers, they would want to know what is going to happen to their point system that can amount to hundreds and hundreds of dollars, you know. So all these things need to be clear up, man. As you rightly said, Member for Mesopotamia, this is a matter of serious gravity. It is a matter…not only the fact that a bank is moving out of Belize—that in itself is a serious issue—but the fact that the bank is selling out; lock, stock and barrel.”