NTUCB Plans Protest at SSB Over BTL–Speednet Acquisition

The National Trade Union Congress of Belize is planning a protest this week at the offices of the Social Security Board, intensifying pressure over concerns surrounding the proposed acquisition of Speednet Communications Limited by Belize Telemedia Limited.  Central to the NTUCB’s concerns is the role of the Social Security Board, which currently holds 34.2 percent of shares in BTL. The union body criticized what it termed the SSB’s “deafening silence” on the proposed acquisition, stressing that the Board has a legal and fiduciary duty to protect workers’ and employers’ contributions to the Social Security Fund.  While making clear that it is not opposed to investments that could strengthen the SSB’s financial position, the NTUCB emphasized that any such decision must place contributors’ interests above what it described as corporate or political agendas. The union has come out firmly against the proposed acquisition, warning that it exposes workers’ contributions to unnecessary risk and lacks sufficient transparency.  In a press release issued today, the NTUCB condemned what it described as hasty and ill-advised efforts by BTL to acquire Speednet, arguing that the process has fallen short of the accountability standards expected for an investment of national significance. The organization further stated that there has been no meaningful consultation with stakeholders, and that calls for transparency have not been adequately addressed.  The NTUCB is calling on the Social Security Board to publicly oppose the acquisition until full due diligence is completed and contributors’ concerns are satisfied. It warned that workers’ funds should not be treated as a bargaining tool or placed at undue risk, adding that any action perceived as threatening national economic stability would be resisted.  Meanwhile, a separate protest by the Opposition is also scheduled to take place this Wednesday in Belize City, along the frontage of the Social Security Board offices.  Police Commissioner Dr. Richard Rosado has confirmed that the permit for the Opposition’s protest was approved, explaining that discrepancies in the initial application led to confusion and claims that police had denied permission.  Importantly, Love News has obtained a copy of the application letter submitted by the UDP, and a review of the document shows that the issue was not a denial by police, but rather that key required information was not initially provided, preventing the application from being processed at that stage. Commissioner Rosado explained that once the missing information was clarified and submitted, the permit was approved in keeping with police procedures and constitutional obligations to facilitate peaceful protest.

Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police: “Let me correct that. I was briefed, an application was received to protest on Friday afternoon. The application did not state the date. The commanding officer then informed the person who brought that application that a date needs to be stated. That individual then said he would consult with his party hierarchy. He then subsequently submitted an application for Wednesday. That application the approval was given. But to say otherwise it’s untrue. Yes from the opposition yes. A subsequent application was submitted and the date was specified for Wednesday for which an approval was given.”

Despite this clarification, Opposition Leader Tracy Panton continues to insist that the Opposition was initially denied a permit, maintaining that the response received from authorities gave the impression that authorization had been refused.

Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition: “We are calling on all Belizeans to join us on Wednesday at ten o’clock as we meet outside the Social Security Board. The board is meeting at eleven we understand. And of course we look forward to having the support and inclusion of our union partners and all members of civil society.”

Reporter: Was the initial plan to protest today ?

Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition: “We had hoped to protest today. The permit was denied even though the prime minster speaks so very boldly about the rights of citizens to be preserved and we have the right to protest obviously he would have preferred the protest not to happen today. They used a technicality in the law to deny us the permit but that will not keep us quiet. We will be sure that our voices are heard at every occasion that we have.”

Love News understands that both the union-led protest and the Opposition protest are expected to take place on Wednesday, at or near the SSB headquarters in Belize City. Police say they are prepared to facilitate the demonstrations, once they proceed in accordance with the approved conditions./