Yesterday the National Trade Union Congress told Labour Minister Francis Fonseca to re-instate four unionists who had been fired from BTL, or face a nationwide strike! Well today, the Minister said he just can't do that, because it's illegal.
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Minister of Labour
"We can only and will only act in conformity with the law and the law is just as I have stated, there is no provision in the law and the NTUCB can show me otherwise, if they know otherwise. As I've said to them, for any Minister of government, any Minister of Labor or any government official to order the reinstatement of an official. So we cannot comply with a demand that is outside of the law."
Jules Vasquez,
So then the unions will strike.
Hon. Francis Fonseca,
"Well unless good reason prevails. I think the greatest threat to unionism anywhere, here in Belize and globally, is when the unions act outside of the law. So I think its very very important for the union to get proper advice. If they don't want to take my advice then they can get advice elsewhere of exactly what the legal position is and what their legal options are."
Kendra Griffith, News 5
"Do you think right now that they are acting outside of the scope of the law?"
Hon. Francis Fonseca,
"Not yet but there are threats that they may want to do so."
Jules Vasquez,
Sir they have indicated that the Prime Minister must now come to them, that they wrote him on December 16th, they have stated their position and now its their ball but its in his court and he has to approach them if he wants to avert inevitable strike action.
Hon. Francis Fonseca,
"Well we've never been afraid of approaching anybody. The Prime Minister, as you know, is a man well known for his humility. He's never backed away from any discussion with anybody. I think his position has been that he's been allowing the process to work, allowing the Ministry of Labor to do its work. Obviously we're always interested in talking, always interested in dialogue, and we certainly want to avert any strike action. Strike action will not serve anybody's interest. BTL is a very very important company, telecommunication services are absolutely critical to the economy and people of Belize, and many many innocent people would be hurt both in their pockets and otherwise by strike action. So we want to avoid that under all circumstances."
Jules Vasquez,
But they are saying the only way to do so is if you meet their demands.
Hon. Francis Fonseca,
"Well we can meet demands which are in conformity with the law but certainly I don't think the union is asking us to act outside of the law."
