BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Mar. 11, 2021– There has been a continuous back and forth between the Government of Belize and public officers following the announcement of a proposed 10% reduction in the salaries of public workers. While the consultations remained ongoing up until this week, members of the public sector, particularly the teachers, have adamantly expressed their disapproval of the proposed cutbacks — with teachers in Stann Creek even staging a motorcade in protest of the proposal.

The protest took place simultaneously with the Belize City’s Council’s swearing-in ceremony, which the Prime Minister attended. After the ceremony, he was asked to comment on the teachers’ non-acceptance of the GOB’s proposal, and he indicated that the public officers are the only individuals yet to make a sacrifice as a result of the hardships brought on by the pandemic.

The Public Service Union (PSU) wasted no time in rebutting the PM’s remarks, which they feel are unjust. In a press release published on Thursday, March 11, the PSU firstly thanked the representatives from the government who met and held discussions with them, but they then shifted their tone as they addressed the comments made by Hon. Briceño.

“The PSU states for the record, that the Union views the recent comments by the Prime Minister as utterly disrespectful and intolerable. For any leader to suggest that the Public Officers have not made any sacrifices to aid in the austerity and recovery efforts of the country is imprudent and misguided. We wish to remind the Prime Minister that the Government are partners in the running of the Public Service and his recent comments to our women and public officers are unbecoming of a leader; especially given that they are aimed toward Public Officers who were acting in good faith,” stated the PSU in its release.

The PSU went on to ask all its members and supporters to wear yellow starting on March 12 and every Friday until the PSU is satisfied that the GOB is serious about implementing the proposed measures for the recovery of Belize’s economy which the union will outline in its counter-proposal. The proposal, which is due by March 15, will also include recommendations for “expedited enhanced accountability systems,” which they think are necessary to restore confidence in the country’s economy and keep the current and future governments in compliance with the laws of Belize