Regional Organization Asks PM Briceño to Reconsider Teacher Pay Cuts

In a demonstration of regional solidarity, the Caribbean Union of Teachers has written to Prime Minister John Briceño asking him to reconsider the ten percent pay cut for Belize’s teachers. In a copy of the letter sent to News Five, the umbrella organization for regional teachers says it is “perturbed by the recent events in Belize that has placed tremendous pressure on Public Servants especially Teachers and Members of the Belize National Teachers’ Union.” The Caribbean Union of Teachers says such salary deductions will create what they term as “an insurmountable degree of distress of teachers at this time.” In fact, they call the cuts “unconscionable” and say that Belize’s teachers are being made “sacrificial lambs,” even though they did not create government spending.  The regional body says it represents twenty-three member groups from across the region, many of whom are based in member states of CARICOM.