Public officers and teachers received their 6% salary adjustment this week, retroactive to April 1, 2014, when the financial year began. Both the National Trade Union Congress of Belize and the Government of Belize confirmed that the salary increases have taken effect.

At a press conference held yesterday in Belize City, Minister of Finance, Prime Minister Dean Barrow, said that the adjustments have been reflected across the board, although indications from Government officials at the press conference were that some Methodist teachers had not initially had the increases reflected in their salaries paid earlier this week due to internal issues.

A spokesperson of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize told Amandala that although the salary adjustment has been settled between the Government and the union, there are outstanding issues such as an insurance scheme for teachers and public officers, including police and military officers. We also understand that the unions have been lobbying for a designated area in which teachers and public officers could receive house lots.

The spokesperson notes that the NTUCB has presented the Government with suggested cost-saving measures, such as reducing government rentals, but they have not yet received a response.

The unions were hoping for a 30% salary adjustment over three years: 2014 to 2017.