NTUCB Says PM Briceño Has Not Met Its 11 Demands

The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) has expressed disappointment with Prime Minister John Briceño’s response to its eleven demands, describing his recent comments in the media as “talk and empty promises.” In a letter dated today, the NTUCB says none of the demands have been met as submitted, and it has yet to receive a date to meet with the Prime Minister.  The union first presented its demands in August. They include changes to the governance of Belize Telemedia Limited and the Public Utilities Commission, action on teachers’ pay, and measures to strengthen public accountability. Briceño responded in writing on September 15, but the NTUCB says he left out the proposed Vo-Tech salary scale, two back-pay requests for BNTU members, and a timeline for appointing a new Ombudsman.

Speaking on her online podcast on Tuesday night, NTUCB President Ella Waight said several of the demands could have been addressed immediately.  The NTUCB also rejects the Prime Minister’s claim that unions have a seat on BTL’s board through the Social Security Board. It says that seat is not reserved for a union representative and argues that the Government can use its own board appointments to bring workers, employers and government into BTL’s governance.

The union says it is preparing further activities in the coming days as it presses for a response to all eleven demands.