In speaking with us, Reneau stressed that today's action is only a foreshadowing of what will happen. Reneau says the union is starting a mobilization of its members and will be meeting with the Chamber of commerce to coordinate efforts. That Chamber met this evening at the Biltmore in a massive general membership meeting. They discussed the increase in business and environment tax which the Prime Minister says they are not expected to pass on. Just a few minutes ago, the Chamber's Dionne Miranda told Keith Swift what they hope to achieve.
Dionne Miranda, Chamber of Commerce
"The position of the Chamber and its membership, based on votes and polls we've had over the past month, is that we will accept no increase in taxes unless certain constitutional reforms were put into effect. However nothing has been done but the reality is that the taxes are now in place. I am sure you know that the taxes represent over $100 million in increases to the private sector and these are the people that we represent. So the reality is that we are here today because this is such an important decision that our executive cannot make on its own. So we need to dialogue with our members for them to tell us what is the best course of action. Our position remains firm and resolute: we will not pay any additional taxes. We will not agree with that until the reforms are in place. We do realize that we are in a dire financial position, for the country, but the reality is that unless the reforms are put into effect then the taxes don't really make a difference."
Keith Swift,
What is the Chamber prepared to do about it? Obviously that is what you are meeting here to decide but what are the options available to the Chamber?
Dionne Miranda,
"There are many options but however again this is a membership organization so we need to follow what our membership is asking. We just need to make a position because we are not anti-government. We are just pro the private sector and the development of the economy and the Belizean workforce. So the reality is we just need to make a decision which will be in the best interest of the Belizean private sector in terms of getting the government of the day to actually listen to us because the reality is what we are is being ignored. I think that we are the driving force of Belize's economy and we cannot be ignored. We must stand together, and be firm, and realize we cannot allow this to occur."
Keith Swift,
Can we expect the Chamber to take a militant stance as has the unions?
Dionne Miranda,
"I won't want to commit to saying we are doing something militant. The reality is that the Chamber of Commerce has to abide by the laws of the country so we need to get legal counsel and make sure we are making a good decision for the people of Belize and also something that is legal as well because we are not anti-government. We are pro-reform and getting the country back on its feet."
Present at the meeting are over 120 members of the Chamber including heavy hitters such as Lord Michael Ashcroft. We'll tell you what the consensus from this meeting was in tomorrow's newscast.
