And before we go to break - we can confirm that the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association has still not accepted any commercial agreement. They are closer, but they ended a membership meeting late this evening in Yo Creek telling farmers not to burn their cane yet - because they are not ready to deliver.
Best hopes are that there could be a breakthrough tomorrow.
But whatever happens next, the National Trade Union Congress of Belize is standing by the cane farmers. Today, President Luke Martinez told us why:
Jo
"But some would note that you guys put out this joint press release and when they had their protest yesterday, I guess there was a lack of presence on your end."
Luke Martinez, NTCUB
"Well I don't know how you reached that point right, it's unfortunate that you would pickup that point to I don't know what's the rational behind your question The fact that the national trade union congress stands in solidarity with BSCFA hasn't changed it will not change and it remains in perpetuity at least as long as I am president of the NTCUB. Right so our of course as usual our mission is to ensure that there is fair play and to ensure that the marginalized is not put at further disadvantage and also remember if you go into your archives you will remember that last year we implored upon the government to make meaningful interventions to rescue this issue. Obviously the interventions have been very slow and coming very slow like a snail and we are hoping that this true meaningful intervention can happen on behalf of people in the north."
Jo
"I want to get your perspective as president on this entire situation because this has been a reoccurring issue for the past couple of years. Do you understand their position and do you feel that they are being reasonable in what it is that they want?"
Luke Martinez, NTCUB
"I think you are asking me to repeat myself. So absolutely the presentations that they have, and the fact that the fair trade premiums are important to them the fact that you are putting manufacturing costs on them and you don't want to share the costs, that's common practice business, you share liabilities, you share dividends it has to go both ways and the BSCFA is not asking that for BSI to cut off their nose to spite their face they are saying look, we are business partners, and here are our proposals and their proposals should be respected, and they should abide by those proposals. We cannot continue to have these multinational to come to Belize, and just take advantage of our local people."
"Time line to everything when it comes to other people, but no timeline when it comes to your people?"
Jo
"So we are seeing everyone getting involved now Prime Minister, the minister of agriculture and yesterdays meeting went all up until 7 o'clock last night, and they were still unable to find a common ground. Do you think that perhaps maybe by today? Or maybe by the end of this week that we will see some consensus?"
Luke Martinez, NTCUB
"Well I would absolutely that is our hope that is a part of our mission that as soon as possible we could get this issue resolved if it is going to happen through social dialogue, then that is what we push for social dialogue so that it exists that is one of the best tools that you can use to negotiate any issue. And so if the Prime Minister is committed to look then that is what he and his team is going to do then fine. But let's do it so that you have positive and meaningful results so that next year we don't have this same problem. So that the year after we don't have the same problem but for us to just stand aside and watch these companies to say look it doesn't matter if you are a part of an association if you have cane bring your cane we will buy your cane. In unionism. sister, that is tantamount to unuin busting right? Basically what they are telling those farmers is that they don't need to worry about their association. They don't need to worry about what they are negotiating for. Bring your cane and we will buy your cane."
