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We spoke to Requena outside a mediation meeting he had just chaired between the Port of Belize Limited and the Christian Workers Union.
Now, even getting the two sides to the table is a minor miracle - and getting them to sit there for 90 minutes? Well, that's almost progress.
Except it probably wasn't - we say that because at the end of it, both the Minister and the President of the CWU seemed…..mmmm….let's say, cautiously neutral? You be the judge:
Reporter:
"Were today's discussions in relation to the redundancy package or not?"
Evan Mose Hyde, President, CWU
"The conversation was about how to move forward. That's the best I can say. I can't say much about the back and forth because they have asked us to be very anti-media. I noticed the attorney is right there monitoring everything I say. We will respect that request as long as the other side respects it, no matter what the back and forths were. It is a good sign. We were able to sit down and there's been a timeline given for certain responses to happen and we look forward to coming back around the table very soon."
Jules Vasquez:
"How do you meet the people who have blatantly misstated the truth in a press release? They have blatantly tried to scapegoat you all on a falsehood. And also they have shown no indication that they are in a position with which they seek to agree with the Essential Services Tribunal."
Evan Mose Hyde, President, CWU
"Yeah. I mean, obviously, I'm not going for that one, brother Jules. I have to just ay that because of our obligations to our members, obligations to the public. Obviously we cannot take a position that our feelings we get hurt and you know, and because of that, we won't show up. We have to show up. that's our duty."
Jules Vasquez:
"Operationally, the status quo remains"
Evan Mose Hyde, President, CWU
"Operationally we... Again, we don't know for a fact. We know what our position is that right now we are abiding by the CB."
Jules Vasquez:
"One gang, one ship."
Evan Mose Hyde, President, CWU
"That's our position."
Reporter:
"In relation to the regulator. You've called them out saying that they have responsibilities as the regulator. Do you feel that they are apprized of that coming now to this meeting or no, because they have been ignoring those responsibilities."
Evan Mose Hyde, President, CWU
"I will avoid that bait too as well and just say that we are pleased that they were here and that we had this conversation. The other side showed up. And again, we are very interested to continue this process as soon as possible because there's a lot at stake here."
Jules Vasquez:
"What was the motivation for you, the CEO, the labor commissioner, to all get hands on?"
Oscar Requena, Minister of Local Government, Rural Ttransformation
"First of all, I want to say that it has always been our responsibility as the Minister of Labor to get involved. Whenever these issues arise, we have a responsibility to ensure that we play our role as the ministry of Labour."
Reporter:
"Sir, the Union specifically has accused the ministry as the regulator that's what they've named you because they've said that the tribunal falls under your umbrella, that you've just allowed the PBL to flout the ruling of the tribunal when that ruling is final."
Oscar Requena, Minister of Local Government, Rural Ttransformation
"I think it is important that I clarify that under the Settlement Of Essential Services Dispute Act, that there is a clear mechanism. Under the grievance mechanism section, which makes it absolutely clear that if there is a grievance between the parties, that there is a process through which the Ministry of Labour is going to be engaged. So that was clearly outlined."
Reporter:
"But what is that process? Because the tribunal has given its ruling. If it's binding, then how is that enforced."
Oscar Requena, Minister of Local Government, Rural Ttransformation
"That the matter of enforcement is not a matter for the Ministry of Labour, the mother of enforcement is a matter for the High Court. So if you have an aggrieved party who is not happy in terms of, you know, how the ruling is being complied with, then they have an obligation to take the matter to the High Court. You know, as the ministry we have, contrary to the reports that were made, we have been engaged, we have been, you know, speaking to both sides last week, you know, we brought both sides to the table today. That process continued. And we must continue to be engaged."
Jules Vasquez:
"You remain engaged, but is any progress being made, sir?" Oscar Requena, Minister of Local Government, Rural Ttransformation
"Let me say this. I am bound by the agreement that both sides made this morning. In terms of how far I can comment. Suffice to say that the CWU, you know, presented this proposal again and the PBL has agreed that they are going to be looking at the proposal. A timeline has been set in terms of PBL's response and in the interim, the discussions continue."
The Port Representatives did not comment. We'll let you know where it goes from here. The stevedores also had meetings scheduled with the Chamber of Commerce and the Port Authority.
