And for another perspective on the labour dispute, today's event at the Biltmore gave the media the opportunity to ask Minister of State Cervantez about his views on the demands from the unions on his own pay cut.
Cervantez, who is the PUP Area Representative for Orange Walk North, told the press today that where possible, he uses his minister's salary and allowances to provide for his needy constituents. Here's the back and forth on that topic in which the press challenged him on that assertion:
Hon. Ramon "Monchi" Cervantez - Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, & Immigration "Look, they have cut our salaries, cut our allowances, and yet, the number of constituents is growing. I have an 8,000 voter constituency. It's very big, but I'm not crying. I have to see how I adjust and I work with that. I have to see how I continue serving my people with it, and I'm it. Just yesterday, I was in one of the villages in the north, assisting people, listening to them, and seeing how best I can help, especially in these tough times. So, I think, they need to be more rational in their demands that they are making, and also in the whole realm of reason for their strikes."
Reporter "So then, you are confirming that some of your salary, some of your allowances, or probably all of your allowances go back to the constituency."
Hon. Ramon "Monchi" Cervantez "Well yes, it goes to the constituents, Marisol. We are servants of the people, and I can't say how much I will spend today or tomorrow. But, if someone calls you and he had an accident, or someone will go through surgery, or someone needs food, you can't deny that person. You have to see how best you can help and assist."
Reporter "Is that not considered a conflict of interest, whereby you're using allowances that are meant for you to serve in your capacity as the Minister? You're using it to serve your constituents as Area Representative."
Hon. Ramon "Monchi" Cervantez "It's called achieving your goal in serving the people of Belize, the people who need the most."
