Social Partners Say Government Must Shape Up

Osmany Salas

As Courtenay pointed out, no one, least of all the Opposition, intended to vote against legislation intended to protect Belize from these and other similar awards. And that spirit of unity – with some misgivings – was in large part led by the Social Partner Senators, who one by one addressed the chamber to say that they would lend their support to the two Bills. We hear from newcomer Osmany Salas for the N.G.O.’s and Elena Smith on behalf of trade unions and civil society.

Osmany Salas, N.G.O. Senator

“Mr. President, the N.G.O. community that I represent in this upper chamber, stands for transparency, accountability, and long-term planning. These, Mister President, are core values and principles that we all strive to pursue as we work our contributing to our sustainable human development. So we expect, Mister President – we demand – that both our political parties live up to these same core values and principles. It is time to shape up and start giving the Belizean people the level of governance that we deserve.”

Elena Smith

Elena Smith, Trade Unions Senator

“The truth of the matter is that both governments have made, if we want to say, some questionable decisions. And we can also say, that one Government started the mess and the other added to the mess – that is the truth of the matter; we can’t hide from that. As a result now, Mister President, we are at a place where we must ensure the protection of our assets and hence the reason for this Bill. Failure to do so will surely be detrimental to our people and our country’s economy, and there may be lots of repercussions if we do not do what is necessary. But the bottom line is that we are now between the devil and the deep blue sea.”

In separate divisions for the Central Bank (International Immunities) and Crown Proceedings (Amendment) Bills, the Senate voted unanimously to accept both Bills. They now head to the Governor General for his final assent.