Belize Tax Service Employees Protest Proposed SARA Revenue Authority

On August 26th, employees of the Belize Tax Service (BTS) protested against the recently approved Revenue Authority Bill, also known as the SARA Bill. The proposed legislation would remove tax collection from a regular government department and place it under a new revenue authority with its own management, employees, and budget. However, the Minister of Finance would retain significant control over its leadership and general direction. Concerned BTS employees protested across the country, calling for the Bill to be withdrawn.
The House of Representatives passed the SARA Bill on August 21st. Under the proposed legislation, the Minister of Finance, who is also the Prime Minister, would appoint the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Officers, subject to approval by the National Assembly. The minister could also issue general policy directives that the CEO and the authority’s seven-member advisory board must follow. In addition, the board would oversee the authority’s budget, strategic plans, senior appointments, salaries and staff policies.
While BTS employees protested in Belize City and at branches in the Cayo, Corozal, Stann Creek and Orange Walk districts, no protest activities were reported in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye.
Employees raise concerns over transition
Under the Bill, current permanent employees would have three options: retire from the public service, apply for employment with the new authority, or remain in the public service and be placed in a similar post. The new authority would also take over the department’s assets, liabilities, contracts and other responsibilities while continuing to handle existing tax cases and appeals.
BTS employees were joined by members of the Public Service Union of Belize (PSU) in their protest. PSU President Dean Flowers said Belizeans should pay close attention to the proposed legislation and its wider implications. “The power is not in an elected representative. The people have to retake their power and they have to checkmate their elected representatives who believe that they can dictate and effect laws that clearly is to the detriment of not only, in our case, public officers, but also to this country,” Flowers told the media. “I encourage everyone to read the bill. Read the bill and understand how the bill will ultimately impact every single citizen. It is not only these officers that will be disenfranchised.”
Flowers said he remains optimistic that the government will reconsider the Bill. “I expect that the government will listen. I have taken this fight to several ministers. I have heard the Minister of Public Service, who should and who has a duty to look after their best interest,” Flowers continued. “I expect him to now lead the charge in Cabinet to tell them they must fix this nonsense that was sent to the House.”
Flowers also called on the Deputy Prime Minister to intervene on behalf of BTS employees and address their concerns with the legislation.
Although the House of Representatives has approved the Bill, it must still go before the Senate as part of the legislative process.