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The rapport between the unions and government has been generally contentious. What began as consultations during the preparation of the 2021 budget has resulted in a salary cut that sees the wages of teachers and public officers being reduced by ten percent. The P.S.U. has expressed discontent by serving a twenty-one day notice of intended […]
Written on April 9, 2021 | Posted in
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While the PM did mention the ten percent salary cuts and three-year increment freeze for the public service, he did not belabor the point during his budget presentation. Outside the House, reporters asked PM Briceño whether he had taken a deliberate decision to spend so little time on the these controversial issues. Prime Minister […]
Written on April 9, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Budget Presentation Makes Brief Mention of Wage Cuts
Since taking office, the new P.U.P. San Pedro Town Council has been pouring over the accounts at the council and the findings, according to Mayor Wally Nunez, are shocking. Between 2019 and 2021, twelve million dollars in property taxes have not been collected; the council has an overdraft of two million-dollars, exorbitant utility bills and […]
Written on April 9, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on San Pedro Town Council is Broke; $2 Million in Debt
The Belize National Teachers Union is responding to government’s announcement that it will proceed with a ten percent salary reduction, as well as an increment freeze. On Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Briceño, in a televised statement, informed the nation that his administration will move ahead with the wage cut which will be reflected in Friday’s […]
Written on April 8, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on B.N.T.U. Prepares to Respond to Government’s Salary Cut
According to Senator Smith, notwithstanding the fact that the P.S.U. is taking the lead on serving government notice, their collaboration with other labor organizations will present a unified position. Isani Cayetano “If the P.S.U. takes the lead in serving government with a twenty-one day notice, where would the B.N.T.U. fall in that timeline in […]
Written on April 8, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on B.N.T.U. Likely to Follow P.S.U.’s Lead in Serving G.O.B. Notice
At a U.S. Embassy event this afternoon, Minister Kareem Musa was asked about the government’s decision to forge ahead with the public service pay cut. Minister Musa says that the decision was a tough one and it pains him to tell his employees, like police officers, that they must do this. He says that it […]
Written on April 8, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Police Minister Says a Salary Cut is Fair in Light of Burgeoning Wage Bill
And Musa says while the decision to cut salaries was a tough one to make, it was fully supported by the cabinet. Musa also told reporters today that this is not the only measure being taken. Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs “The full support of the cabinet, of course. The decision was made. […]
Written on April 8, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Cabinet Supports the 10% Salary Cut!
We also asked Musa if there will be additional police boots on the ground for Friday’s reading of the budget, in light of the fact that the PSU is against the proposed cut. Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs “Officers are always at the National Assembly especially for the House Meeting. At this time, […]
Written on April 8, 2021 | Posted in
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Home Affairs Minister Kareem Musa has weighed in on the impasse between government and the unions. That stalemate, however, did not occur overnight. In fact, it was several weeks in the making, beginning with PM Briceño refuting the idea that budget consultations held with the unions back in February were not discussions to introduce a […]
Written on April 8, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on A Retrospective on the Unions and G.O.B.’s Salary Cut Impasse
The COVID-19 pandemic has left many Belizean businesses in limbo, and a recent survey by the Statistical Institute of Belize shows just how significant the impact is across the country. A Business Establishment Survey was carried out by the S.I.B. in November of 2020; two thousand five hundred local businesses were in the sample group, […]
Written on April 8, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Businesses
But how much of a decrease in revenue did businesses experience due to the COVID-19 pandemic? The S.I.B. survey also sought to determine just that. Now, it is no secret that the Accommodation and Food Services Industry suffered a near lethal blow, as travel came to a near standstill. S.I.B.’s data reveals that businesses in […]
Written on April 8, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on COVID-19 Impact on Businesses’ Revenue
The Public Service Union held a series of emergency meetings today to discuss with its membership the position they will take regarding a proposed salary cut and increment freeze. Permission was granted by the Ministry of Public Service earlier today for government employees, those who belong to the labor organization, to get time-off to attend […]
Written on April 7, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on PSU Holds Emergency Meetings to Finalize Position on GOB’s Wage Cuts
Cabinet met today in ordinary session where recent counterproposals from the joint unions were carefully reviewed ahead of Friday’s budget presentation. Today’s meeting came hard on the heels of negotiations with the Association of Public Service Senior Managers, the Belize National Teachers Union and the Public Service Union that ended Monday. The Briceño administration continues […]
Written on April 6, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Are Negotiations with Joint Unions Down to the Wire?
After checking with its members, the executive of the A.P.S.S.M. found that the collective position taken prior to Monday’s meeting with government remains the same. The prevailing sentiment among senior managers is still “no” to the proposed salary cut. But they have countered with a list of adjustments for government to realize the savings it […]
Written on April 6, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on APSSM Still Says No to Proposed Salary Cut
With less than three days left before Prime Minister Briceño presents the 2021 budget in parliament, time is running out for the unions trying to stave off government’s proposed salary cut. P.S.U. President Gerald Henry, during an appearance on Open Your Eyes this morning, admits that while pressure is being brought to bear on the […]
Written on April 6, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Will Unions Acquiesce to GOB’s Ten Percent Salary Cut?
The numbers are in and as expected, most Belizean businesses have managed to weather the Covid1-9 storm, but a few have gone under. Today the Statistical Institute of Belize released data from the Business Establishments Survey which examined two thousand five hundred registered businesses, mostly sole proprietors, for the periods March to November 2020. Eighty-six […]
Written on April 6, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Severe Impact on Belizean Business Due to Covid-19
News 5 has confirmed that the price of whole chickens and chicken cuts has increased. Armando Cowo, manager of the Belize Poultry Association says this reflects a price hike in the raw materials used to make chicken feed. Cowo anticipates that the higher prices will remain for the next two to three months. Armando […]
Written on April 6, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Prices on Whole Chickens and Chicken Cuts Increases
The Easter Weekend is over. Should we now be concerned about a possible spike in Covid-19 cases across the country? On the Placencia Peninsula at least, Belizeans turned out in pre-covid 19 numbers. In one instance a business establishment was shut down by the police due to overcrowding. News Five spoke to Justin Linarez, a […]
Written on April 6, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Belizeans flocked to Placencia for the Easter Weekend
The Ministry of Health and Wellness came under fire recently when it was revealed that a contract for the procurement of six vehicles had been given to a businessman who is reportedly a member of Minister Michel Chebat’s campaign team in Cayo North. When it became known that Belize Auto Zone had been selected to […]
Written on April 6, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on MOHW Reels and Comes Again on Vehicle Procurement
If you just love a night out gambling and have been missing the casino life, well your luck may be about to change. Cabinet has approved the reopening of this popular form of entertainment starting April 15th. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with more. Isani Cayetano, Reporting At the height of its operations, […]
Written on April 6, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Casinos Set to Reopen, but What’s the Future of Gaming?
The acquisition of Scotiabank Belize by Caribbean Investment Holdings Limited, the parent company of Belize Bank, has been completed. This afternoon, a team of workmen took down the iconic Scotiabank sign that hung in front of the building on Albert Street, bringing to an end the commercial operation of the long-established financial institution. The sale […]
Written on March 31, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Scotiabank Shutters its Operations as Belize Bank Merger is Completed
The nation’s children may be on Easter break, but the Belize National Teachers Union is not relaxing this holiday. Union representatives met with government representatives on Monday evening to further negotiate a proposed salary cut for teachers and public officers. The protracted discussions come after dates being set for the reopening of schools after a […]
Written on March 30, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Joint Unions to Negotiate Through the Easter Break
Senator Smith has also laid out a schedule during which the union’s leadership will meet with various branches to provide an update following the upcoming round of meetings. According to Smith, it will also serve as an opportunity for the executive of B.N.T.U. to renew its mandate in the ongoing negotiations. Senator Elena Smith, […]
Written on March 30, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on B.N.T.U. to Meet with All Branches Next Week
A new Governor of the Central Bank of Belize is set to assume office later this week, with the start of a new financial year. Manuel Vasquez will succeed Ambassador Joy Grant as head of Belize’s fiscal and monetary regulator, responsible for the issuing of bills, as well as controlling the flow of currency. Vasquez […]
Written on March 30, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on A New Governor is Set to Assume Office at Central Bank
It has become a holiday tradition and this year is no different. Yes, gas prices have been increased right before the Easter getaway weekend. Today, the Ministry of Finance announced that the price for regular gasoline is about to cross over the eleven dollar mark to eleven dollars and five cents. Kerosene will also be […]
Written on March 30, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Regular Gas Goes Up Pass Eleven Dollars
