Ever since the Barrow Administration passed the Petrocaribe Loans Act, it has been receiving blowback from the social partners who say that the law circumvents the oversight mechanisms of the Finance and Audit Reform Act.

The Unions have been most vocal, especially against the retroactive effect of the law. In an attempt at appeasement, the Prime Minister has crafted amendments to bring the law more in line with the expectations of its critics.

To this end, he invited the National Trade Union Congress of Belize to a meeting at his Belize City Office this afternoon. It lasted a little under 2 and a half hours and during which time, the PM discussed his reasoning with the Union representatives and the purpose of each of the offending portions of the Act that they take issue with.

At the end of the meeting, President Marvin Mora and 2nd Vice President Audrey Matura-Shepherd discussed told the media how the discussion went:

Marvin Mora - President, NTUCB

"The amendment itself that the government is proposing is addressing some of the major issues that in hindsight probably could have been addressed by the government then if they had done consultation. As a matter of fact one of the things that the prime minister conceded is that he could have and he probably should have but in his wisdom as a leader - something you have to take the bull by the horns and make certain decisions. Mind you, I would say his reasoning for so doing was basically to safe guard the programme - according to what he explained to us. So, one of the things that we are looking is the fact of the retrospectively of the changes. But we are also looking at where we are and where we want to go. One of things we point blank asked the prime minister - actually was the last thing we asked, that if he is confident that; let's say the unthinkable for him would happen where his government would lose power in this imminent upcoming elections. And you have a change in leadership in the government - if he is confident enough that not only the petrocaribe bill but the amendments he is putting in are good enough so it would not allow any other administration to abuse the petrocaribe fund. And he said that he is 100% confident. Still, he opened up the doors not only for the congress to inject something in that regard if it were possible. But also for other suggestions in regards to the petrocaribe bill."

Audrey Matura-Shepherd - 2nd Vice President Union, NTUCB

"We've heard out the prime minister and I must say he graciously conceded to some of the points we've made. One of the main points he conceded to was that the retrospectively of it as he said merely to get passed or over the legal challenge which was a position that I personally have already said and the union already recognised. But there were a lot of other points that were discussed and from what we will hear from our president is that we go back now to our general council, discussed everything that was discussed at this meeting and then move ahead with that."

But, ever since we've been informed about this meeting between the NTUCB and the Prime Minister, reports were that a request was made that Audrey Matura-Shepherd be excluded from the proceedings. She took it as a priority to show up today, and so while we had the opportunity, we asked her about that request. Here's what she had to say:

Audrey Matura-Shepherd

"The prime minister did invite us to a meeting and we had no problem going as a union. I knew that there was some claim that I was not suppose to be there. 3 of the presidents told me personally and it's a part of our record - but that never came up again because the position of the union was always that we won't be told who can come. This is the executive, each union has their representatives, we didn't make a big deal about it. I think maybe the propaganda is and the people who are the political attack dogs have made a big deal about it. But as a member of the executive of NTUCB, I am here and as the president of CWU, I am here."

Geovanni Brackett, Plus TV

"Do you take it personal, do you even categorise it?"

Audrey Matura-Shepherd

"I don't take it personal, I understand politics, I have been around the prime minister when I was in the UDP and I know the nature of his politics. Sometimes he is very quick to say things. Then when cooler heads prevail that there is no sense. I mean his people who follow him in terms of the people - especially on WAVE radio, take lead and make attacks but I can't take those things personal. Because at the end of the day that's just a distraction. I came to the meeting, I think it was rather polite and cordial, I had my input."

The union reps. told us that they must now go back to their general membership and inform them about the points which came up at today's.

They will then get feedback and input from those members, and make suggestions to the Prime Minister about other ways the amendments can mend the law. We understand the Government intends to table these amendments at the next house sitting, which is scheduled for June 26.