June, 2025 - Greater Belize Media

KHMH Union to GOB: ‘Wheel and Come Again’

Ongoing negotiations over pension concerns continue between the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority Workers Union (KHMHAWU) and the Briceño administration.

A letter sent by the KHMHA Board Chairman on June 5 claimed GOB proposed to contribute 4% retroactively to the KHMHA Employee Provident Fund for 2001–2018, and that the Union countered with a demand for 7%.

The letter also stated that “the KHMHAWU will refer this matter to their membership and consider not taking any form of industrial action during that period.”

But KHMHAWU President Andrew Baird flatly rejected that narrative.

In a formal response letter, the union clarified no counterproposal was made. “The KHMHAWU did not table a counterproposal to GOB’s offer of 4% retroactive contributions,” Baird said in the letter. He explained that the 4% was cited only to demonstrate its inadequacy compared to severance payouts.

Baird added that the union remains firm on its demand for a pension scheme. “The Union’s formal position remains aligned with its longstanding mandate from membership: the establishment of a pension, not a Provident Fund,” Baird stated. “Any departure from this position must be explicitly mandated by membership through due process.”

Baird also responded to the Board Chairman’s statement suggesting that the Union would refrain from industrial action during the review period. In his letter, he clarified that such a commitment cannot be made without the union’s membership decision.

“With respect to the request for a period of no industrial action while the proposal is being reviewed, we must reiterate that such a decision rests solely with the Union’s membership,” Baird stated. “The leadership of KHMHAWU cannot unilaterally commit to a moratorium on industrial action without the express approval of the membership through the proper internal procedures.”

According to Baird, the letter does not reflect what was discussed in the meeting held Thursday.

A revised proposal is expected from the government by June 20. ” We await a proposal that is favorable to the affected KHMHA staff, who have borne the burden of this unresolved issue with significant implications for their long-term financial security,” Baird added.

World Oceans Day: “The Clock is Ticking”

A global push to strengthen protections for the world’s oceans began today in the city of Nice, France, where 30 research and exploration vessels sailed into the Bay of Angels to mark the opening of the third United Nations Ocean Conference. The launch coincided with the annual celebration of World Oceans Day.

This year’s parade theme is “Ocean Wonders,” which aims to draw attention to the importance of ocean conservation and inspire stronger commitments from governments. World leaders, scientists, and NGOs will gather to address ocean issues such as rising sea temperatures, overfishing, and marine pollution.

At the centre of this year’s conference is the drive to ratify the High Seas Treaty, which was agreed in 2023. Belize made history in 2024 by becoming the first Caribbean nation to formally ratify the agreement.

The Treaty will come into effect once 60 countries have signed and ratified it and enable nations to establish marine protected areas in international waters for the first time.

According to the High Seas Alliance’s Treaty Ratification Tracker, “The clock is ticking,” with 28 more countries still needed to ratify the Treaty before it can enter into force and become the world’s first international law focused on the conservation and management of biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ).

“The High Seas Treaty is critical to ensuring we can protect biodiversity in the ocean,” said Rebecca Hubbard, director of the High Seas Alliance. “We’re in the middle of a biodiversity and climate crisis. We absolutely have to protect the ocean to address those crises.”

Sílvia Tavares from the Oceano Azul Foundation added, “The ambition is not there, the speed is not there, and the scale has not been there.”

Following today’s parade sail, the “Ocean Wonders” vessels will remain docked in the city’s bay and open to the public until 13 June.

State of Emergency Expires

The State of Emergency (SOE) in Belize City, the Belize District, and parts of the Cayo District officially ended on Friday, June 2. Authorities have confirmed that individuals detained under the emergency powers have been released.

The SOE was put in place last month in response to a spike in gang-related violence, with Police Commissioner Richard Rosado calling it a security threat that had escalated to a “critical level” in a May interview.

Minister of Home Affairs, Kareem Musa, told News 5 that the police and relevant officials met to review the situation and decided there was no need to extend the SOE.

Flood at Police Station Caused by Open Roof Hatch

A hatch left open on the roof is believed to be the cause of flooding at the Racoon Street Police Station during Wednesday night’s heavy rain. After issuing a press release about the incident, authorities discovered that the roof hatch had been left open.

Videos of the flooding show water pouring through the roof, severely affecting the building’s interior. The ministry said in a press release on Thursday that “The well-being of our officers and the integrity of our law enforcement infrastructure remain matters of the highest priority.”

The ministry added in the statement that temporary accommodations are being arranged for key units to ensure that officers have safe and functional workspaces and confirmed it is working with international partners to develop modern, climate-resilient police facilities.

In an interview this morning, the Minister of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries, Kareem Musa, told News 5 that building a new police station is a long-term plan that will require a significant investment.

‘Shyne’ Barrow: “Both Political Parties Have Failed Teachers and Public Servants”

The Joint Union Negotiating Team (JUNT), representing the country’s major public sector unions, issued a firm rejection of the Briceño administration’s latest salary adjustment proposal following a four-hour meeting on Friday.

The Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU), Public Service Union (PSU), and Association of Public Service Senior Managers (APSSM) described the 4% salary offer as a “step backwards” and “insulting.” BNTU President Nadia Caliz criticised the proposal, stating, “You are offering us four percent with one hand and on the other hand you are talking about pension which the rate is five percent annually… We don’t call that good faith, we call that down right disrespect.”

Caliz confirmed the rejection was unanimous among union leaders, and the matter will now be brought to members for a vote.

Meanwhile, former Opposition Leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow issued a sharp rebuke of the Briceño administration on social media, calling the situation a “continued betrayal” of teachers and public officers.

Barrow accused both major political parties of neglecting the welfare of workers.

“For far too long both sides of the political divide have taken the people and teachers for granted. Successive governments are guilty of failing the teachers, public servants and society at large,” Barrow stated.

He criticised Prime Minister John Briceño for not fulfilling his 2020 campaign promises. “I call on the Prime Minister to be a person of his word and give teachers what he promised in 2020, which was a 20% pay raise,” Barrow added.

“When the PM was Opposition Leader he marched with the Unions and implored the then Administration to better compensate teachers,” he said. “Now he sits in a position where with the stroke of a pen he gives $200 million for acquisitions, $30 million for Airport security to cronies who failed to prevent one of the worse National Security breaches ever… but they refuse to give the teachers and public servants their due.”

“HIV Is Not a Death Sentence”: NAC Responds to Viral Video

A viral video posted by a San Pedro resident living with HIV has brought national attention to the reality of stigma and discrimination in Belize, the National AIDS Commission (NAC) said in a statement on Friday.

“We want to remind the country that HIV is not a death sentence,” NAC said. “With access to proper healthcare, support, and treatment, including antiretroviral therapy (ART), individuals living with HIV can live long, healthy, and fulfilling lives.”

The organisation urges the public to show compassion and support for those affected. “It is critical that we, as a society, move beyond fear and misinformation and instead embrace compassion, truth, and inclusion,” it said.

NAC also reminded the public that it continues to offer key services such as mental health counselling, trauma support, and nutritional aid to affected individuals and families.

“We encourage individuals to reach out for support, access available services, and know that they are seen, heard, and valued,” NAC added.

Union Leaders Reject Government 4% Increase Proposal

Leaders of the joint unions met today in Belize City to discuss the government’s recent salary adjustment proposal. They will now go back to their membership to put the matter to a vote. But, after four hours of meeting today, President of the Belize National Teachers Union, Nadia Caliz confirmed with News 5 that the leaders in today’s meeting outrightly rejected the proposal. She referred to it as a disrespect and a move backward from the government’s initial proposal.

Nadia Caliz, President, BNTU

“It is downright disrespectful and conning. You are offering us four percent with one hand and on the other hand you are talking about pension which the rate is five percent annually. You have given us nothing, four and five when you do the math, subtract, it is an additional one percent. We believe that they need to consider the workers of this country and the fact that they told us we can meet for clarity. We cant event negotiate and yet you are talking about we can meet in good faith. We don’t call that good faith, we call that down right disrespect. And we live in a democratic country, we are not tolerating that or accepting it any at all.”

Paul Lopez

“That is to say it is an outright rejection?”

Nadia Caliz

“Yes, it is an outright rejection. That is why the councils have to meet today. We cannot allow the government to disrespect our workers like that, no.”

PSU President Criticizes Christopher Coye Signing Off on Second Proposal

We also heard from President of the Public Service Union, Dean Flowers. He contends that the Government of Belize has downgraded its negotiations with the joint union by having Minister of State Christopher Coye sign off on the second proposal. According to Flowers the tone in which that second proposal was written is not in good faith.

Dean Flowers, President, PSU

“I feel it very important that I build on what this sister has just echoed and I want to commend first and foremost the history that has been made today and last night as joint union, collective membership. Today we met our joint councils, why, because the government demonstrate that they have little or no respect for public officers. They reduce the role of the deputy prime minister to a minister of state, somebody who is not even accountable to the people of Belize, somebody who has proven that rather than acting in the best interest of the country, he acts in the best interest of foreigners.”

Reporter

“You are talking about Mister Coye”

Dean Flowers

“I cannot even utter his name. it is extremely disrespectful what the prime minister and the deputy prime minister cause to occur yesterday by having a minister of state, who is not accountable to the people of Belize to send the workers of this country, public officers a letter, that in of itself is disrespectful, not mention the unfavorable nature and the tone of that letter. It says to us, I am not here to negotiate, I am here provide clarity if you want. If you want me to provide clarity to you, you can come back to me. I will save my words, because I put on my old bway hat today so that I don’t blow my top as a result of that letter.”

APSSM President Says GOB’s Second Proposal Is “Worst Off”

President of the Association of Public Service Senior Managers, Sharon Fraser, also weighed in on the government’s four percent proposal. She chided the Briceno administration for attaching pensions reform as a condition to the proposed four percent salary adjustment. According to Fraser, this is a step back from GOB’s initial proposal.

Sharon Fraser, President, APSSM

“Now as sister Nadia would have said, there is the process. So now while it is that it was the joint councils meeting, one still has to go back to the general membership and in fact let them express in the best way they know how whether they are accepting the content than the letter. The situation is we have gotten a letter that is worst of than what we got in the first place. In the first place, while it is they were offering three then the remainder over two years, it was not conditional on anything. Now we got an offer and yes they raise it to four, but it is conditional on pension reform and in fact starting pension with new comers and the proposed figure is five percent. So it actually put public officers worst off, it is worst. Now, everything is conditional. I will tell you when we proposed that eight percent no pension reformed was attached to that. So I don’t know how all of a sudden they have tied down that eight percent that was to represent everything that is happening, cost of living, inflation rate, so how now that ties in. We have been talking pension reform from last year, has nothing to do with this eight pint five pervne.t. So I find that the letter is not reflecting what we had talked about around the table. Now saying we will give you four but you have to accept this, you have to tie it to performance, a number of thing it is tied to that was never a part of the discussion.”

Authorities Drop Charges Against Teachers

There is good news for those Stann Creek teachers that authorities charged on Thursday in connection with their protest in Dangriga. President of the BNTU, Nadia Caliz met with Police Commissioner Doctor Richard Rosado on Thursday afternoon to discuss the charges. She was later informed that those charges will be dropped.

Nadia Caliz, President, BNTU

“They have agreed that when we are out there they will keep us safe and I appreciate that. And I also shared I do not want anybody to think they are just going to grab me and do anything they want because I am the leader. I prize my freedom and so I carry myself because I am mindful of that, so don’t be looking at things to come at me because there are so many people supporting the teachers. I don’t prescribe to that. Allow us to operate the way people ought to function in a democratic country. There are two things I want to weigh in on, the government just got a new mandate. Some people believe we should have done this before election, no this is perfect timing because there is a manifesto you shared with the people, and now this is for you to prove that you are serious with what is in that manifesto. Don’t come to us with pretty promises and don’t want to deliver. This is from Plan Belize, which one, 2.0, 1.0? Thank you and you said twenty. We are asking for eight point five. But we are coming to you with eight point five and you are showing all these expenses. And government is not being honest when they talk about the millions they are sharing as it pertains to the cost of the wage bill. No we want them to show us the figure, don’t just be throwing things out there to the public scaring everybody, because from behind the scenes, our people that have access to the system are telling us that the figures the PM is pointing out is ballooned. So we are not going to sit here like we are crazy and stupid and not know what is going on. Show us the figures. Show us the figures.”

Reporter

“So form your meeting with the ComPol, doe sit look like they are doubling down?”

Nadia Caliz

“No, actually, I got a call this morning from our lawyer. He called and said the teachers in Orange walk was well behaved today and they are dropping the charges for the teachers in Stann Creek.”