Up to 6:00 pm this evening, Union leaders and Government negotiators were in meetings at the Central Bank building in Belize City. They are trying to find a compromise over the 9-point agreement developed by the Unions. While 6 of the points have been basically agreed to, the three other points which deal with the new taxes have not. The Unions propose that they remain under review and suspended until both sides can agree on what measures will have the least impact on those who can least afford it. Government claims that agreeing to that proposal would take it outside the constitution and would thus be illegal.
Well this evening, the National Trade Union Congress sent out a release explaining that it had to prepares its own agreement because the one presented last Thursday by government's lead negotiator Assad Shoman did not suitably address their position on taxes and reform. The release also chides the government for taking the document directly to the Teachers' Union's Council of
Management and not to the NTUCB team. Lastly the Union strongly condemns the Prime Minister for, "not coming to the discussion table" and calls on him, "to come clean with the Unions and the people of Belize"
