NTUCB Says No to Removal of DHS’ Office

Also opposing the motion by raising the concern that the proposed legislation seeks to circumvent the Public Service Commission, was NTUCB President Luke Martinez who sat in place of Senator Elena Smith at Thursday’s senate meeting.  While the bill to include a union member on the board of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority is fully supported, the National Trade Union Congress of Belize is against the removal of Dr. Manzanero in that manner.

Luke Martinez

Luke Martinez, Union Senator

“What is happening here is not public sector reform, it’s moving towards a continuous decay of the public sector, Madam President. Of course, the National Trade Union Congress is not going to throw away the baby along with the bathwater and we cannot support most of, all of these, most of these bills but we can certainly support the amendment to the KHMH Hospital Authority Bill which includes the representation of a union member.  But Madam President, we cannot support the rest of the legislation, Madam President. The President of the Public Service Union made some very strong points in his presentation on Open Your Eyes earlier this week, Madam President. If the government is having an issue with a public officer, we have the Public Service Regulations, take it there. Don’t bring it to parliament to amend a whole series of legislation, Madam President. We’ve heard the arguments about signature and I think that has been a continuous argument. There are two deputies for the Director of Health Services, Madam President.  If signature is the problem, that could be resolved.”