For weeks, we've been reporting on UDP Minister John Saldivar's efforts to get the social partners back on board with the UDP version of PAC. This is after they publicly called it a charade. Saldivar and his UDP Colleagues held meetings with the Council of Churches, the Trade Union Congress and the Churches to try and broach a compromise. Well, today, the Chamber and the NTUCB responded - and in so doing, also briefly touched on the terms of the Saldivar compromise - which up to now, had been a closely guarded secret. It seems his compromise suggested more inclusive membership. But, the Chamber and the NTUCB say they don't agree: instead, they propose a nine member group with 4 from Government, two from the Opposition and all three Social Partners. They agree with Saldivar's proposals that quorum for the meetings be changed to five, and that all Reports of the PAC taken back to the House should include a minority opinion.
Overall, they quote, "congratulate the Government of Belize on its efforts to restructure the composition of the PAC." So what's next? Well, we expect a Saldivar counter-proposal which should come next week.
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