Former Prime Minister on BML Workers

Said Musa

Said Musa is the former Prime Minister of Belize, and no stranger to controversy or unrest. But he says that even he was shocked by the detention of workers and the cruel and inhumane treatment they suffered at the hands of Police. Today he was out in front of court on another matter, protesting the killing of innocents in Palestine. We’ll have that story later in our newscast, but first we have Musa’s comments about the BML situation, which he says is just an outright travesty.

Said Musa, Former Prime Minister

“I was completely shocked. I think the whole thing is outrageous the way these poor citizens of this country, these poor hard working people have been treated by the administration, by the authorities starting with the mayor and the Belize City Council. But it shouldn’t stop there because the mayor and the Belize City Council would not be acting the way they are acting with such arrogance if they were not getting it from up above, the national government—from the Prime Minister right down. These people are fighting for their right to work, first of all. And secondly, their right to be paid for their work. And to see that they are hauling them into the courts now for this simple exercise of their rights is a real outrage and a shocking thing. As one of the posters said yesterday, free the people and pay them; that’s what should happen.”

Reporter

“If indeed the government decides to step in and help these people, do you think that it is coming after the fact that it should have been the first move?”

Said Musa

“Of course. I mean I would welcome the government intervening to help these people; these are people who desperately need help. And if Mister Barrow and the U.D.P. government had any sense, they would intervene and help these people in their moment of desperation right now.”

According to PM Barrow – all charges for workers will be dropped, but Musa says that does not distract from the treatment of poor Belizeans who should be protected and not punished further.