Hirian Good: One case of political appointments

Hirian Good, the woman who lost her lost her job as a school warden has been a fixture with her husband at the foot of the Supreme Court in Belize City. She claimed it was political victimization and though she and her husband were offered jobs, they declined at decided to sue the Ministry of Education. The Teachers Union has come forth in support of the Goods. Despite the support that the couple has gained, Minister of Education Patrick Faber today said today that the ministry will deal with the lawsuit if they decide to sue.

Jose Sanchez
“Everyone knows that politics hire politics fire. Would you say it was a small misstep on your part to say openly that “my people need to eat too?”

Patrick Faber, Minister of Education
“No, I believe completely in being honest in situations, I am not going to lie to nobody. I think that people understand and this is the thing; if we’re going to demand from politicians that they be fair, that they be open, that they be honest then when that honesty comes, we should not ridicule or criticize. I think that everybody is aware out there with the situation with these positions. When the P.U.P. were in power for yen years, they hired their people. Now in this capacity, we are trying to even the playing field; there were all school wardens that were politically appointed. Nobody said anything at that time, there was no problem.”

Jaime Panti, National President, B.N.T.U.
“We need to remove religious politics and party politics from education. It is hindering this country, our people are suffering, they are the ones in pain and it stifles development. And so is the case of Miss Good. If she was hired, then you need to make the proper case, the legal case to remove her. If she was doing wrong, if she was not performing, then I can understand that she needs to be accountable. But you just cannot unilaterally remove somebody. Yes, the minister will say it’s a political decision. At the end of the day they are Belizeans, they are our brothers and sisters and they have a right. And as a government, we are responsible for these people, so we need to ensure that the best is given to them.”

Jose Sanchez
“If Misses Good could get a school warden job back, would you give it to her at this point? “

Patrick Faber
“I think it would be a bit difficult and if people are playing politics and you can’t expect to do all of this and then it just works out like that.”

Jose Sanchez
“Cause she’s saying then that there are hundreds of jobs out there, but she doesn’t want any job, she wants a school warden job because she was good at it.”

Patrick Faber
“Well, and then again you see, what you term as being good at it? And I really don’t want to get into all of this, but the short of it is that I think that Misses Good, Mister Good, were offered positions; I think it is cleared now that they are being fueled by some political operatives. I don’t wish to get into that whole entanglement all over again. So those people who are fueling her from the opposition need to better advise her.”

Jose Sanchez
“She wants her job back. She’s going to take them to court. Is the union in support of her filing this action for her right to get her job back?”

Jaime Panti
“That’s her constitutional right. And as a union we demand that the rights of our workers are respected. We don’t have a double standard. That is it and that is where we stand. I think it is high time that our politicians, our religious leaders take it into account.”

Patrick Faber
“I believe if the suit is brought, we will have to put up a defense, but we are prepared to look at that once it comes.”