11 immigration clerks transferred; N.T.U.C.B. and P.S.U. come out swinging
Marvin Blades
Still on the issue of the immigration scandal…The National Trade Union Congress of Belize, and sister organization the Public Service Union, came out swinging this morning on the abrupt transfer last week of eleven clerks and the extended suspension of three officers from the Immigration Department. For context; we note that even though the issuing of a passport begins with a nationality certificate, no one from that department has been affected and there has been a blackout in respect of the criminal investigation. But the recent transfers are the result of an ongoing restructuring exercise within the department in light of the Penner passport scandal. While Minister of Immigration Godwin Hulse has gone on record to say that the transfers were a cabinet decision, the union representatives contend that it is the Ministry of Public Service, based on specific regulations, that has the authority to effect transfers.
Marvin Blades, President, Public Service Union
“The remit of transfers comes from the Public Service Commission, not from the cabinet. Now I heard the minister said that the cabinet made the decision to transfer. That’s not the remit of the cabinet, that’s the remit of the Public Service Commission. Now that’s one of the first problems because what does the cabinet know about transferring public officers. Now, once you are transferred outside of the transfer period there is a section that states in our regulations that the transfer must be for the benefit of the public service and for the public officer. I am pretty sure they looked at the public service probably, well I am giving them that benefit, but I don’t think they looked at the benefit for the public officer because at the end of the day, if I am removed from immigration and I am moved over to, say transport, there are some trainings that have to come in place, you just can’t go into immigration as a new clerk and learn all these things. It takes a little time.”
If you ask any of the criminals in Hattieville prison to investigate themselves, they would tell you, boss I done do that, and its proven that I am innocent. That is what the PM is doing with immigration. They are making it so difficult for us poor Belizean to get a passport, by putting all kind of rules and regulations, just to not have to fire all the people involve, starting from ambassadors, CEO, Ministers, directors, and Penner. Moving the junior staff out, is not making the place more efficient, its trying to hide all those who knew about the grand hustling all along, and a slap in the people’s face to say, ” We done stop the thieving so shut the f**k up! None of the big boys must be touched!
After all this, Penner is still not being investigated! Castro the passport delivery man to Taiwan still don’t know anything, and Chan still missing in action. Hulse working hard on the cover up!
with new computers and printers, these people are not needed. too many prying eyes that leak info to people like Arthur Salvidar. now passport sales can be made and sold in the cabinet room, and no standing in line for the most high ministers. Ministers of state will have fixed quotas, just to show respect to established corruption officers, this also applies to non elected ministers. But unlimited rosewood for all!!! suey, suey, $$$, come and get your cut at the trough.
greed and $$$ gluttony is good for the soul.