A significant confrontation has emerged between Belize’s Public Service Union (PSU) and the Ministry of Finance regarding the proposed transformation of the Belize Tax Services Department into a Semi-Autonomous Revenue Authority (SARA). In a sharply worded communication dated January 7th, PSU President Dean Flowers leveled serious accusations against government officials, claiming they had reneged on commitments made merely weeks earlier.
The dispute centers on what the union characterizes as the ministry’s dismissive approach and excessively narrow consultation parameters. Authorities have attempted to restrict dialogue solely to internal employee matters, effectively excluding broader public scrutiny of what represents a substantial economic reform initiative. The PSU maintains that this approach contravenes fundamental democratic principles by preventing adequate oversight of policy decisions with far-reaching national implications.
Transparency remains the core issue, with union leadership demanding full disclosure of the studies and analytical frameworks that informed the Cabinet’s decision to proceed with SARA. With a critical January 16th deadline rapidly approaching, the PSU has issued a clear warning that failure to address these concerns will result in the consideration of all available response options. Flowers specifically criticized the Financial Secretary’s position that policy matters fall outside the union’s purview, asserting that in a functioning democracy, citizens and their representatives maintain the right to question decisions potentially affecting the national economy and all Belizeans.