PSU President Criticizes Labour Ministry No-Shows

Public Service Union President Dean Flowers also used the National Trade Union Congress of Belize Labour Day platform to criticize the Ministry of Labour, citing what he described as a missed opportunity for meaningful engagement with unions.  Speaking at the rally held at Bird’s Isle on Labour Day, Flowers noted the absence of senior ministry officials, including the Labour Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer.  According to Flowers, their presence would have allowed for direct dialogue with union representatives on pressing workplace concerns and unresolved labour issues.

Dean Flowers, President, Public Service Union: “I really want to touch a little bit on what the mayor said. The mayor said workers have the right to organize. So we will touch the organizing part, Mayor. Job security, security of tenure. This victimization has to stop and of course we have to have the difficult conversation. Honorable Minister of Labor last year we had a very difficult conversation because this is where the plight of workers is highlighted. I don’t see the labor commissioner here. I don’t see the CEO of labor here so how will they fix labor issues if they fail to interact and understand the plight that workers are in. So Minister you need to put them in check and tell them this is where they need to be and stop taking things personal. Because it’s not persona. It’s never personal. With malice to none.”