Monopoly Voted Down—Will Backers Step Down Too?

monopoly voted down

MONOPOLY VOTED DOWN. On Tues. Aug. 18, the social partners of Belize-the unions, the businesses & the churches-planned to demonstrate against the monopoly. PM John Briceno’s family—which owns Speednet—stood to make $50 million from the monopoly deal. He had maneuvered the government-owned Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) to take over Speednet. But after the social partners united against it, the PM’s own Cabinet voted it down. And this happened right after evangelical church leaders engaged in extra-focused prayer against it.

See below how to pray about this

So the social partners held a press conference led by the unions on the day they’d planned to demonstrate. Instead of demonstration, the time had come for demands. Including:

– Removal of BTL Chairman Markhelm Lizarraga.

– ⁠Removal of the BTL Board except for the two members who opposed the monopoly deal.

– ⁠And restructuring of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) now dominated by government representatives.

Instead, the PUC would have four social partner representatives and three from the government. We can’t let the government monopolize other utilities either. We hope to count these as victories for social partnership against socialism.

So will the monopoly backers leading BTL and its Board step down? The union which represents about 60% of BTL’s workers has given Lizarraga a “vote of no confidence.” Union General Secretary Harrison August says he “has failed to act with transparency…and good faith.” Union Senator Glenfield Dennison added, “He needs to do the honorable thing and resign. And get no benefits, go directly home and do not pass go, do not collect your pension.”

On the Monopoly Board Game, one square says to “GO collect $200 salary.” Not this time, we hope. Better to fold up the Monopoly Board and go home. Then the next BTL Board with social partners can practice free opportunity and not forced Monopoly.

PRAY WITH US about monopoly voted down:

Father God, we exalt You as sovereign Lord over all the earth. For You reign as Lord of lords. But too often we want to be lords over others too. And that can mean depriving others of opportunities, and controlling communications in a whole nation. So we thank You for answering prayer and moving on the Cabinet to prevent that in Belize.

We ask that You move on BTL and the government to follow through and represent the people better. So thank You for making Your church a social partner. And help us to fulfil our public role as such. For we want to represent You and the people well. Therefore we ask for right relations with the other social partners to represent You to them rightly too. So help us to disciple this nation as You have discipled us and desire to make disciples of all nations. In Jesus’ name, amen.