Yesterday, the president of the Christian Workers Union Audrey Matura Shepherd told the media about a deadline she'd given the First Caribbean International Branch. She demanded that by 1:00 pm, the Bank indicate its readiness to meet with the Union and its member, Uwahnie Martinez, who recently resigned from the Bank. Well, Matura Shepherd told us today that the Bank did respond and she expects that the union, along with Uwahnie Martinez will meet with the Bank tomorrow.
As we reported, Martinez - an employee of 12 years - has resigned alleging discriminatory practices by the manager at the Dangriga Branch of the Bank. The Union says Martinez was not allowed to speak to bank customers in Garifuna.
And so while First Caribbean has the Christian Workers Union to contend with, they also have to deal with a new pressure group, formed out of various Garifuna Organizations including the National Garifuna Council, Ligemeri Dangriga, Garifuna Development Organization and the Dangriga Town Council.
They met on Monday of this week to discuss the way forward in relation to the Garifuna Issue at the Dangriga Branch of First Caribbean International Bank. The focal point for the group, Mayor Gilbert Swaso told us by phone today that they came up with three resolutions:
Mayor H. Gilbert Swazo - Focal Point Garifuna Groups
"The bank is not necessarily genuine in its intent and we certainly found out that their stories are conflicting. Resolutions were passed at that meeting which include the believe that there is no value in the continued dialogue with the local bank. There is a need to consult our legal expert with a view to ascertain what legal options we need to move forward with as it relates to what we deemed possible unfair labor practices, the breach of constitutional rights and the discrimination by the bang against Garifuna. We believe that this is not only about Uwahnie Martinez, we believe that as a Garinagu we have been disrespected. We believe that our human rights is being challenged. We believe that our constitutional right has been challenge. We are not excluding any dialoguing in any way or form even though we have said that there is not a need to talk to the locals, but we are open for dialogue and that is what we are doing since we don't want to close any doors at this time."
A release from the group says it will launch, quote, "a national and international campaign to sensitize the public of the Bank's workplace conditions and business practices."
The Bank has been in discussion with the Garifuna leadership and has informed them that a senior international executive of the Bank is coming to Belize next week and would like to meet with them.
The Garifuna leadership is also planning its own press conference.
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