PRAY WITH US about unions demand reform, plan strikes: Father God, You reign as the just Judge of all. But You are also our Redeemer. So show us how You redeem us from both our sins and our debts. By the blood of Jesus You redeemed people of every tongue, tribe and nation. He became the way to abundant life. Show us how to rebound from this recession, and to abound with new possessions. Create new jobs, new wealth, and create new resources, especially for those who seek You.
Let everyone who seeks You first find You. Then add all beneficial things to them. Help governments out of debt while establishing accountability. Expose the corruption that undermines them, and disciple them in practices that build them up. Appoint watchdogs against corruption, but also faithful and prosperous stewards for inspiration. Let those who delight in Your word bear fruit in every season. Bring both spiritual revival and financial recovery at this time. In Jesus’ name, amen.
PRAYER ALERT: Unions Demand Reform, Plan Strikes Against Wage Cuts
All around the world, government workers are protesting Covid-related wage cuts while asserting that their governments are growing in power and continuing wasteful corruption. For instance, Belize’s unions are preparing to strike against looming 10% wage cuts. They have already held a loud though socially-distanced rally on the National Assembly steps.
But new Prime Minister John Briceno is replying by pointing out that Belize is the sixth most indebted nation worldwide. It owes US $5000 for every Belizean man, woman and child. The average annual income per person now stands at only half that amount.
Beyond that, Belize owes in wages to government workers 86% of all its government income. So all Cabinet members have decided to take a 10% salary cut. They are telling union workers that they must do the same. That would save the government about US $40 million.
But the unions accuse the government of wasting money on corruption. For example, critics cite recent hirings of cronies at exorbitant salaries. The unions insist that the government immediately activate now-dormant anti-corruption measures. They include the UN Commission Against Corruption (UNCAC), which Belize signed in 2016. Since 2016, our evangelical association has repeatedly called for implementation of UNCAC.
Now our suffering country needs it as much as ever. How can we expect unions to accept pay cuts when the government won’t account for its spending? But if the government does activate the anti-corruption measures, we should expect the unions to accept the same 10% pay cut that Cabinet members did. After all, the vast majority of Belizeans have had severe pay cuts during this crisis.
In fact, unemployment has risen from 10% in late 2019 to 38%. Wouldn’t most of the recently unemployed want to work again at 90% of their former income? We must pray for a solution of shared austerity and shared accountability to make the most of what little we have.
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Keyphrase: Unions Demand Reform Plan Strikes