It may have sounded unthinkable two months ago, but it has come to this, and today the unions led the way staging marches and rallies across the country. In Belize City, a crowd of 750 supporters took their protests to the streets and Alfonso Noble was in the thick of it. Here's his report.
Alfonso Noble Reporting,
After gathering at the Memorial Park, shortly after 9 this morning, mostly members of the National Teachers Union, along with representation from all other unions in the Belize District took their demonstration through some of the principal streets of Belize City to the Battlefield Park all the while, hoisting strongly worded signs and singing union songs.
[Demonstrators Chanting Solidarity Song]
One sentiment rang out clearer than ever, no new taxes without reform.
Paul Perriot, BCWU President
"We demand no increases in taxes and we demand reform."
Anthony Fuentes, BNTU President
"The people of this country is not satisfied with the amount of taxes that is being levied against us."
Alfonso Noble,
Do you think you will be able to get what you want?
Anthony Fuentes,
"Well we will continue to remain vigilant to ensure that what the people are saying is carried out because without the people no government will be able to operate. It is a large number of people that is out here showing their dissatisfaction with the amount of taxes we'll be paying. The Belizean population is presently speaking loud and clear to the government of the day that we are serious about what we are doing."
George Frazer, NTUCB General Secretary
"…Representation of all the 8 unions in the congress. We have representation from UB, both the faculty and staff and students. We have representation from, I guess, some sectors of the business sector. I must applaud the strong support we have seen, the shutdown by the community and so we have very wide representation."
All the union presidents spoke in unison, saying that they are determined to ensure that the call is heard, and sacrifices need to be made for this.
Dylan Reneau, PSU President
"No change happens without sacrifice. The Belizean people have got to understand that this stance is necessary or change will not come."
Alfonso Noble,
Do you think that change will come though?
Dylan Reneau,
"It has to come or this government has to go. We definitely want to put a message to this government that if they don't deal with our reforms, the fact that we want this tax thing to be shared equitably and our salary increase, then we will continue. The people are saying, if we don't get it, then this government has got to go."
Anthony Fuentes,
"Well at the end of the day government should listen to the voice of the people."
Alfonso Noble,
What if they don't?
Anthony Fuentes,
"Well the vigilance will continue because as a union, as a member of the Trade Union Congress of Belize, we will continue the vigilance to ensure that what we mention to the government is accomplished."
Mark Butler, BEWU President
"I think they will have to listen this time brother. What's so hard about listening? The people of this country is the government so the elected ministers should adhere to the people. At least lend a ear to the Belizean community."
George Frazer,
"Time will tell. Tomorrow we have other activities including representation of our people; we will be taking people to Belmopan, especially from the Cayo, Belize, and Stann Creek District. We believe the message will get through. If not, we will have to evaluate and push further."
And with representation of the unions from all three utilities, water, electricity and telecommunications, that push can come and it can come harder. For the leadership of these unions they stand ready to throw in their support.
Mark Butler,
"We are coming out to support the NTUCB because we are an affiliate of them and the rest of unions, all of us are affiliates. Our action is to come out in support and carry on whatever the trade union decides on its agenda to make the government listen to us."
Paul Perriot,
"We plan to work along with the NTUCB. If they call shutdown, well we plan to support it in whatever way we could."
Those undertakings then add combustion to an already heated atmosphere, with unions bent on having their cries heard this time around and a government determined to overlook them.
