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Jan 22, 2014

Faber also took jabs at Chamber of Commerce for supporting the B.N.T.U.

Patrick Faber

After devoting much of his address to detailing all the things this administration has done for teachers, Faber then rounded on the Belize Chamber of Commerce. Faber was offended because of a release issued by the Chamber of Commerce last week, which expressed support for a salary adjustment for teachers. After stating that he didn’t know why the Chamber was getting involved in this business, Faber explained that he had the right remedy for the unwanted intervention by the private sector body.

FOR VIDEO CLICK HERE: FABER ON CHAMBER

Patrick Faber, Minister of Education

“You know, the Chamber, Mister Speaker, but out a release that I don’t understand. I think it baffles me. They are saying that the teachers deserve a raise and they support the teachers getting a raise. Well for the record, this administration, nobody in here—I don’t think the Prime Minister or any of his ministers—have ever said that we don’t think that the teachers deserve a raise; so let’s put that to rest. In fact, in his New Year’s message and in those negotiations, we have agreed that a raise will be given. We just don’t agree on the thirty percent and the reason why we noh agree on that thirty percent is because we can’t afford it. But Mister Speaker, for the Chamber to then say put out a release to say the teachers deserve the raise but we also need to do it responsibly, then I want to ask them weh dehn mi deh? Because, Mister Speaker, out of the negotiations that the prime minister led, out of that came the agreement that yes we will get the fifty cents on every additional dollar collected, but in addition, there were two committees set up. And this is ongoing, Mister Speaker. The two committees—one to make sure that there is increase revenues and one is to make sure that we are more efficient in handling whatever monies that are administered. Mister Speaker, so that is perfectly in line with what the Chamber is saying; Chamber noh di tell we nothing new. And then they are saying that it should be done over a period of time. Well that is exactly what we are saying. I find it strange that they would say to the government that you can give this raise if you better manage yourselves and give the raise because there is this cost of living adjustment that is needed. Well Mister Speaker, if they are going to ask for a raise for the public servants, I am going to ask for a raise for the private sector—all the workers who work out there Mister Speaker. If they think that the government can afford a raise for the public servants, then why is it that they can’t afford to raise the minimum wage and raise the salaries for all the other Belizeans who are not working in the public sector? Let’s have that discussion.”


Viewers please note: This Internet newscast is a verbatim transcript of our evening television newscast. Where speakers use Kriol, we attempt to faithfully reproduce the quotes using a standard spelling system.

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2 Responses for “Faber also took jabs at Chamber of Commerce for supporting the B.N.T.U.”

  1. Joe Blank says:

    Typical thin skin Faber. In through South Side style, he couldn’t let it go. Lol! Gial, just let it go no?

  2. Junie says:

    Ha ha ha! Faber U forget quick that da we teachers elect u and ur pary!

Comments are closed