Ex-B.N.T.U. prez says contributory pension scheme coming to Belize

Luke Palacio

Earlier this week, the Belize National Teachers’ Union launched its documentary on the eleven days of strike they organized at this time last October. And while the Union never put that strike on hold, it is gearing up for a new fight. Citing the example of Jamaica, former president and first vice-president Luke Palacio said that Belize’s public servants, including teachers, must get ready for a contributory pension scheme to be introduced. He warned against those who would rob teachers and civil servants of their hard-earned gains.

Luke Palacio, Former President, B.N.T.U.

“So my friends, we cannot continue to tolerate this disrespect. And I want again to take this opportunity – the president of the P.S.U. is here – if you watch the Caribbean news, Jamaica has taken the lead, where they are going to make public servants contribute to their pension scheme. And once that starts, we will be next, because we have a ‘fala-foot’ nation. And therefore, we must get serious, public officers and teachers, that whenever that day comes, that our demands, our position on how that contributory pension scheme should come into effect, that that will be respected. We cannot afford to continue to have our pockets being bled by persons who are enjoying the sweets! That is what is going on.”