BCCI, NTUCB Decline Cabinet Meeting on BTL-Smart Deal

Despite clamouring for greater consultation and access to information on BTL’s proposed acquisition of Speednet Limited, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the National Trade Union Congress of Belize have declined Cabinet’s invitation to discuss the controversial transaction.  Letters sent today by Cabinet Secretary Stuart Leslie to BCCI Chief Executive Officer Kim Aikman and NTUCB President Ella Waight express Cabinet’s regret that the two organizations were unwilling to accept the invitation.  According to the two agencies, they have been acting collectively with the National Evangelical Association of Belize and the Belize Network of NGOs in scrutinizing the proposed acquisition. The four social-partner organizations indicated that they would only consider attending the meeting if NEAB and BNN were also invited and if the information they requested was provided with sufficient time for review.  Prime Minister John Briceño has explained that Cabinet specifically invited the BCCI and NTUCB because they are the country’s principal representatives of the business and labour sectors and have been among the leading voices opposing the acquisition.

John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “From the cabinet we’ve made a determination that we’re going to invite these two because these are the two main entities that have been speaking out. The Chamber as the business representative for the business community and the NTUCB as representative for labour. So we want to hear from business and labour. And so I respect the opposition, but at the same time I hope they respect our position.”

In his letter to the BCCI, Leslie said the Chamber’s official position would have played a critical role in Cabinet’s determination on what he described as an important national issue. He noted that the Chamber’s leadership has repeatedly raised its concerns through the media and said the meeting would have provided an opportunity to present those concerns directly to the Government.  Cabinet expressed a similar sentiment to the NTUCB, saying its invitation was extended in good faith because the position of Belizean workers would be vital to Cabinet’s decision. Leslie added that, amid concerns over inadequate information and consultation, the meeting would have allowed the Congress to ensure that workers’ voices were heard.  Meanwhile, NEAB and BNN have maintained that excluding them undermines the collective approach adopted by the four organizations.