BELIZE CITY, Thurs. June 10, 2021– Reports are that the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) has filed a motion challenging the salary cuts which were implemented on June 1. The BNTU’s national president, Elena Smith, had indicated when the union decided to end its strike that they would be seeking other avenues — including the legal route — to oppose the salary cuts if the government clung to its position.

Smith has stuck to her word, and has initiated an action to have the Supreme Court review certain clauses in teachers’ employment contracts, aside from the new Public Sector Emolument (Reduction) Regulations, 2021.

At this time, teachers will begin to see salary reductions reflected in their monthly paychecks. The unions have said that they will engage in fundraising activities to buffer the impacts of the salary cuts and the docked salaries of teachers who participated in the 5-week strike.

We will continue to follow this case as it makes its way through the courts.