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The Joint Unions Negotiating Team met this afternoon in an extended virtual session, following the passage of the 2021 Budget in the upper house on Wednesday. The way forward for the Belize National Teachers Union, the Association of Public Service Senior Managers and the Public Service Union is uncertain. Wednesday’s vote in the Senate has […]
Written on April 29, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Joint Unions Plot Way Forward After Senate Passes Budget
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize is refuting claims made by former Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte during an interview with News Five on Wednesday. Peyrefitte said the unions are partly to blame for the failure of the previous administration to enact the recommendations of the final country review by the United Nations on UNCAC. […]
Written on April 29, 2021 | Posted in
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Wednesday’s Senate debate on the 2021/2022 General Revenue Appropriation Bill ended in a division vote. All six P.U.P. senators voted in favor of the Bill, as did the Senator for the Business Community, Kevin Herrera and Senator for the Churches, Bishop Alvin Benguche. All three U.D.P. senators voted against the Bill, as did Senator for […]
Written on April 29, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Senate Vote Divided, but Senator Coye Calls for Belizean Unity
Principal Karema Arnold has broken her silence on the salary cut and increment freeze for teachers and public officers. Today, the staff over at Stella Maris School wore their green shirts, in solidarity with the Belize National Teachers Union. Arnold told the media that the decision taken by G.O.B. is an affront to all those […]
Written on April 29, 2021 | Posted in
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As you know by now, about fifty schools reopened for in-person learning earlier this month, with another group set to start their phased-in approach on May tenth. At the Stella Maris School in Belize City, preparations are underway for their re-opening in a couple of weeks. But even before then, teachers have been out doing […]
Written on April 29, 2021 | Posted in
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Inside the Senate on Wednesday, Senator for Government Business Eamon Courtenay went into details about the land agreement between the Government of Belize and the Nature Conservancy. In his presentation, Senator Courtenay referred to the transaction as a “scandal” and estimated that inclusive of stamp duty write-offs, land tax write-offs, and speculation tax write offs, […]
Written on April 29, 2021 | Posted in
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While the Government and the Opposition clash over the Nature Conservancy transaction, at least one conservationist believes it is a boon for the people of Belize. He spoke to News Five about how these protected areas are purchased, the tourism revenue they generate, and the management of such areas. Wil Maheia, Conservationist “The way […]
Written on April 29, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Wil Maheia Supports Nature Conservancy Transaction
Maheia is calling on N.G.O.’s, and former N.G.O. employees who are now government officials, to stand in support of The Nature Conservancy. Maheia told News Five that while he does not endorse the way the former administration went about the agreement; it is not a bad deal. Wil Maheia, Conservationist “N.G.O.’s need to stick […]
Written on April 29, 2021 | Posted in
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During the Senate budget debate, Government Business Senator Eamon Courtenay raised a questionable transaction made by the National Institute of Culture and History under the previous administration. Eamon Courtenay, Senator for Government Business “We have found out a sick and sordid transaction that took place at the National Institute of Culture and History. A […]
Written on April 29, 2021 | Posted in
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Today marks three consecutive days of strike action by the Belize National Teachers Union. Once again, teachers took to the National Assembly steps, as they did during last week’s House of Representatives budget debate. Only this time, there was an even larger turnout as teachers were bused in from all ten branches across the country. […]
Written on April 28, 2021 | Posted in
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Inside the House, the Senate debated the 2021/2022 General Revenue Allocation Bill. The budget reflects an eighty-million-dollar cut for the public service, as well as decreases in allocations for a few additional line items. But, with a one hundred and thirty-five percent G.D.P. to debt ratio, the Briceño Administration is hoping that the austerity measures […]
Written on April 28, 2021 | Posted in
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The joint unions have clearly expressed their intent to continue striking until they are convinced that the Briceño Administration is serious about good governance. But were the unions asleep at the wheel under the Barrow Administration? According to former attorney General Michael Peyrefitte, he had personally met with the unions in his capacity as A.G. […]
Written on April 28, 2021 | Posted in
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And while the former Attorney General is pointing fingers at the unions, because UNCAC tackles several major aspects of corruption, from preventative measures to asset recovery, and even criminalization and law enforcement measures, News Five’s Paul Lopez as him if there was any fear among former government leaders that they might be prosecuted under UNCAC […]
Written on April 28, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Peyrefitte says UNCAC “Light” Compared to Belize’s Own Laws
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize has called on the joint unions and the Government of Belize to go back to the negotiation table. But, since G.O.B. has already taken the position that it will fix the salaries of public servants and teachers, we asked Martinez if those discussions, should they resume, would now […]
Written on April 28, 2021 | Posted in
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When asked if the N.T.U.C.B. would continue to participate in the Commission of Inquiry proceedings which ended abruptly days ago when the live feed was cut in the middle of his speech, Martinez called on the Director of Press Office to resign. As for the N.T.U.C.B.’s continued participation, Martinez says the union congress has a […]
Written on April 28, 2021 | Posted in
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Union Senator Elena Smith also called on the Government of Belize to come back to the table for further discussions. Smith says that while the ten percent cut and increment freezes appear to be a foregone conclusion, further discussion between the unions and government can focus on issues of good governance. Elena Smith, Senator […]
Written on April 28, 2021 | Posted in
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The Department of Environment continues with its restoration efforts for the New River that runs through Orange Walk. The crisis on the stagnation of the river, and the associated public health and environmental hazards, first came to light back in 2019 and while there was some relief, the issue has resurfaced, along with the stench […]
Written on April 28, 2021 | Posted in
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This week it was the teachers. Next week it will be the Public Service. News Five has confirmed that P.S.U. members will begin their strike action on Monday, May third. Their concerns are similar to those of the N.T.U.C.B. which has expressed its solidarity with the joint unions. In a release, the National Trade Union […]
Written on April 27, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Public Service Union Says They Will Strike as Long as Needed
P.S.U. Vice President Dean Flowers confirms that all consultations between the government and the joint unions have ended. Dean Flowers, Vice President, P.S.U. “In our view the consultations that the government was having with the Joint Unions have come to an end. As you are aware on the twelfth of April the Public Service […]
Written on April 27, 2021 | Posted in
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Members of the Belize National Teachers Union were once again absent from the classroom. Today, day two of the teachers’ strike action, saw teachers walking from the Battlefield Park in downtown Belize City to the House of Culture where cabinet was meeting inside. We spoke to Branch President for the Belize District Branch, Tanya Flowers-Gillett […]
Written on April 27, 2021 | Posted in
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Teachers were also actively striking in San Pedro on Monday. Today, those teachers engaged in an educational campaign to bring awareness among the general public of their purpose for strike action. One union member confirmed with News five that the union will follow through with its strike for the remainder of the week. Helen […]
Written on April 27, 2021 | Posted in
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The last time the teachers went on strike was back in October 2016; it lasted eleven days. Their salaries were cut and that matter was taken before the courts. As you heard from the B.N.T.U.’s Belize District Branch president, the teachers expect that deductions will be made. So today, we asked Education C.E.O., Dian Maheia […]
Written on April 27, 2021 | Posted in
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Since Monday, at eleven-thirty a.m., teachers effected strike action by walking out of the classrooms. It comes just days after some students returned for in-person classes, after a year of distance learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet now, they are once again out of school. Education C.E.O. Dian Maheia gave News Five a one-on-one […]
Written on April 27, 2021 | Posted in
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C.E.O. Maheia told News Five the Ministry of Education will continue to monitor the situation since it is not known how long the teacher’s strike will last. Dian Maheia, C.E.O., Ministry of Education “I don’t think anyone knows how long this will last. We hope that this will not be something that will be […]
Written on April 27, 2021 | Posted in
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The Belize National Teachers Union took the streets today in their first day of protest. How like will the Union sustain this protest action? And, will their decision to protest further affect students’ academic development during an already trying year? News Five’s Paul Lopez followed the teachers in Belize City today to learn more. Here […]
Written on April 26, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on B.N.T.U. Strike Action, Day 1
