And while the government has engaged the stevedores - it's not out of nowhere. In fact, it's a previous PUP administration led by Said Musa that created this whole mess two decades ago when it privatized the Port and then later gave the stevedores certain assurances that they would not lose earnings from sugar.
But, despite the recent goodwill undertaking with the stevedores, the criticism remains that this government - led by a norteño is partial to the cane farmers - and that his government has been more indulgent with them when they took strike action in December.
Today, the Prime Minister bristled at the suggestion:
Reporter
"Here are the stevedores in a similar situation, but the government has not stepped in, the way it has for the cane farmers for the stevedores."
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister of Belize
"How can you say that we are writing a check of 1.5 million dollars to the Stevedores for crying out loud."
Reporter:
"But that's different."
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister of Belize
"No, no, no, we are giving stevedores a 1.5 million, one. Two, when we settled with the stevedores to open up there was no threat of a law suite, with BSI there was a threat of a law suite. Now, for us to be able to open up the factory then we told, because the farmers would not have opened the factory if BSI did not pull back that indemnity so we decided in the interest of the industry, in the interest of the country is to say okay, we will give you an indemnity that should there be a lawsuit then government is going to respond. Now, that does not mean now that we are going to take that lying down. BSI is an important partner in this country. I don't think it is in their interest to pick a fight with the government. They are a number of things that they will be asking of us. So, if they are going to be fighting with us then obviously we will have to take a second look at whatever it is that they are asking. I do not expect that BSI will come and say well now government you have to pay me."
Reporter:
"But the Port?"
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister of Belize
"But the issue with the port."
Reporter:
"No the court."
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister of Belize
"What I am saying I do not expect and I hope that better minds prevail at BSI of them not going all the way to take the government to, in effect take the government to court."
Reporter:
"But what they want is for any possible threats of blockade to completely be eliminated and that's kind of like what the, a weapon that the caneros have had to get things moving."
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister of Belize
"But that will never happen that will not happen in Belize, they have factories all over the world, they have them in Mexico and when they have problems the cane farmers blockade the factory, that's impossible to happen."
