Posted: Thursday, June 12, 2025. 10:00 am CST.
By Zoila Palma: The utility unions are voicing strong support for the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU), calling on the government to resume stalled negotiations over teacher pay and to deliver on long-promised economic justice.
In a joint press release issued Wednesday, leaders of the utility sector unions said they were “gravely concerned” by the conditions that have forced educators into public protest. Teachers have taken to the streets in recent weeks over stagnant salaries and the rising cost of living.
“These actions stem from prolonged salary stagnation amidst rising inflation,” the statement read, “and they reflect a broader systemic disparity in the treatment of workers, particularly between those employed at the lower echelons of the public service and those at the upper levels.”
The unions criticized what they called a double standard in how wage adjustments and tax breaks are applied, pointing out that teachers and other frontline workers continue to bear the brunt of economic hardship while senior officials are shielded from the same pressures.
“This state of affairs contradicts the promises made to the Belizean electorate during successive political campaigns,” the statement continued, “and undermines the principle of equity in governance.”
Utility workers, who also provide essential services, emphasized their solidarity with teachers, describing education professionals as foundational to the country’s development.
“Teachers must be adequately and fairly compensated for their labor,” the unions said. “Any reasonable improvement in their remuneration constitutes a sound public investment.”
The unions argue that better teacher pay will not only strengthen the education system but also stimulate the economy through increased consumer spending and tax revenue.
Calling for an immediate return to “good faith” negotiations, the statement ended with a warning that union leaders would be closely monitoring the situation.
“The resolution of this matter is inextricably linked to the quality of education afforded to the children of Belize,” they said.
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The post Utility Unions back Teachers amid salary dispute, call for immediate action appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Thursday, June 12, 2025. 10:00 am CST. By Zoila Palma: The utility unions are voicing strong support for the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU), calling
The post Utility Unions back Teachers amid salary dispute, call for immediate action appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
