U.D.P. Says It Is Ready To Take Action Against Briceño Administration Alongside Joint Unions

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

Meanwhile, the United Democratic Party says it is supporting the joint unions. In a press release on Tuesday, the Opposition expressed that it supports the unions’ fight for better working and living conditions. The release cites matters related to public borrowing, public health, promised legislations under Plan Belize that are yet to be passed, inflation, and price gouging. The party called on the Briceño Administration to, “lower the price of gas, bring back the increments and resupply our hospitals or face the wrath of the people”. Today, we spoke with Moses ‘Shyne’ Barrow, the Leader of the Opposition, about his party’s position.

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition

“The United Democratic Party has been raising the same issues for quite some time. WE have been sounding the alarm on the extremely unprecedented high cost of living which impacts everyone and has been ravishing our nation for quite some time. We recovered from COVID-19 then we went into the energy crisis. It is quite a paradoxical Briceño Administration we have, because they have money for what they want to have money for. You see these loan motions for a hundred million in one day, seventy million in one day. A promise was made to the public officers as we were dealing with the COVID-19 recovery and they have asked to make certain sacrifices. They have sacrificed and it is time for their increments to be restored. We deal with inflation, these are problem that every government faces. It is not unique to the Briceño Administration. What distinguishes governments, sets them apart is how they respond to inflations, and treat with the dire needs of the working class Belizeans, the middle class Belizeans the Briceno Administration in my view has failed miserably in responding to inflation. There response is it is inflation sorry; there is nothing we can do. The price gouging, the exorbitant price increases that goes beyond inflation. It was important to make it clear that we are prepared to join the unions in taking action. The time for talk has concluded. We took to the streets last year and we are prepared to intensify and escalate and it would be best if we can do that collectively.”