BNTU Demands Government Show Proof of Salary Promise

The Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) is calling on the Government of Belize to provide clear figures and evidence to support the feasibility of promised salary increases. According to BNTU President Nadia Caliz, now is the time for accountability, especially following the commitments made in the ruling party’s recent election manifesto.

Nadia Caliz, BNTU National President: “The government just got a new mandate. Some people believe that we should have done this before election, no this is perfect timing because there was a manifesto that you shared with the people and now this is for us to prove whether or not you’re serous with what is in that manifesto. Don’t come to us with pretty promises and then later you don’t want to deliver. Because what we’re asking for comes from Plan Belize from 1.0 and you said 20% and we’re only asking for 8.5. But we are coming to you with 8.5 and you’re showing us all of these expenses and government is not being honest when they talk about millions that they’re sharing as it pertains to the cost of the wage bill, no. We want them to show us the figure. Show us the names, show us everything don’t just be throwing things out there to the public scaring everybody because from behind the scenes now our people who have access to that system are telling us that the figure that the PM and all of them are pointing out is ballooned. So we’re not going to sit here like we’re crazy and we’re stupid and we don’t understand what’s going on. Listen, show us the figures. Show us the figures.”
The teachers are firm to not accept anything less than the 8.5%