As part of their ongoing community outreach, the Dangriga Police Formation conducted their weekly Meet and Greet operation on Wednesday, visiting residents along Melinda Road and Saint Berry Street.
Officers visited a total of 11 homes, where residents largely expressed that they feel safe and that the area remains calm. However, some took the opportunity to raise concerns, requesting the installation of speed bumps and repairs to a nearby roundabout.
Present for the outreach were Deputy Officer in Charge of Operations, ASP J. Tillett, along with other members of the Dangriga police team.
The Ministry of Investment, in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), has officially launched stakeholder engagement for Belize’s first national Industrial Strategy, centered on blue and green economic policies.
Senior government officials, private sector leaders, and international partners gathered to begin shaping a strategy aimed at driving sustainable, inclusive, and export-led industrial growth.
The strategy will focus on key sectors including light manufacturing, agro-processing, energy, and emerging opportunities in the blue and green economy. It aims to boost productivity, reduce poverty, and align with global sustainable development goals.
The session also included discussions on industrial policy design, data tools like the EQUIP Toolkit, and the importance of monitoring and evaluation.
Union members across Belize are mobilising today in a nationwide show of force, as part of a strategic response to what they call the government’s failure to address fair salary adjustments and the reinstatement of frozen increments.
According to an internal action plan obtained by this newsroom, Thursday’s coordinated demonstrations, branded “Branch Picketing”, will see union members lining major highways and roads near schools, dressed in green shirts and holding posters to attract public and commuter attention.
The protests are scheduled in two phases: a morning roadside picketing targeting commuters and the general public and lunchtime picketing in town centers aimed at raising awareness among parents, business owners, and other community members.
Alongside these physical actions, unions are ramping up a community education campaign. They will be visiting businesses and institutions to distribute flyers, engage the public, and encourage support for their cause. The plan urges members to take photos and flood social media using hashtags like #WeMatter to amplify their message.
The picketing follows the Belize National Teachers Union’s recent rejection of the government’s proposed 3% salary adjustment.
The United Democratic Party (UDP) is throwing its full weight behind the unions, publicly backing the teachers, public officers, and essential workers who have rejected what the UDP calls the government’s “paltry and unacceptable” 3% salary adjustment offer.
The party is accusing the government of betraying its promises. “We call on this heartless and brazen PUP government to immediately honor the commitments made to these essential service workers before the 2020 and 2025 General Elections,” the release stated.
The UDP blasted the government’s budget debate speeches as tone-deaf, saying they were filled with boasts about a “booming economy” while ignoring the real struggles of those still earning 2020 wages. “In light of the government’s continued disregard and inadequate response… the UDP fully supports the union’s decision to institute industrial action,” the release affirmed.
The party also pointed to the government’s approval of up to 20% raises for top officials, contrasting it with the unions’ call for an 8.5% adjustment for frontline workers. “If the government can justify granting a 15% to 20% salary increase to the highest-paid persons… then our teachers’ and public officers’ request is not only fair — it is extremely modest and measured,” the UDP said.
After weeks of negotiations and a government offer on the table, the Belize National Teachers Union has spoken—and the answer is a firm “no.” On Tuesday, two thousand teachers cast their votes on a proposed three percent salary adjustment. A resounding 75 percent rejected it. Now, with a 21-day strike countdown still ticking, the Government of Belize is back to square one. So, what happens next? News Five takes a closer look at the vote, the demands, and what this could mean for classrooms across the country.
Nadia Caliz, President, Belize National Teachers Union
“As you are aware, government offered us a three percent salary adjustment commencing first of October 2025. The BNTU Membership rejected that offer. One thousand five hundred and thirty-two members voted no, while four hundred and thirty-eight members voted yes to the three percent salary adjustment proposal. That is clearly stating the membership is saying no to the three percent salary adjustment proposed by the government. As it pertains to the reinstatement proposed by the government, the BNTU strongly believes like all the other unions that you have worked for that. That was taken away from you during the COVID era. Government used it as some kind of fiscal measures, ways of saving and trying to ensure they can afford to pay for whatever expenses they have at the time. But the reinstatement simply means that you deserve nothing but what is rightfully yours.”
The teachers have spoken—but now, so has the Prime Minister. Following the Belize National Teachers Union’s overwhelming rejection of the government’s proposed salary adjustment, Prime Minister John Briceño isn’t hiding his frustration. Today, he told News Five he’s disappointed in the union’s decision, insisting that while his administration wants to give more, the country’s finances are stretched thin. With the national wage bill projected to soar past 800 million dollars in the next three years, the PM says a phased approach is the only realistic path forward. But with a strike deadline looming, the standoff is far from over.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“I am very disappointed. I think we have pointed out that as a government we want to support the teachers. We want to give them more, but there is only so much we can give. Let me repeat again, presently the wage bill for government which includes teachers and BDF, all the workers, approximately sixteen thousand dollars of them, it is approximately seven hundred million dollars. It is close to fifty cents of every dollar we budget. What we have worked out, I think over three or four years it would work out to about another ninety to a hundred plus million dollars. When that is enacted, the wage bill would go up to a eight hundred plus million dollars. Now, it is important for the public to understand when we met with the unions they were asking for eight percent. We are in effect giving them fourteen and a half percent, because we are raising their salaries and unfreezing two of their increments. Each increment is approximately three percent. That would be six percent and you add the eight and a half, you are looking at fourteen and a half percent. That is what we are offering them and now they ask for the eight and a half and we give them eighteen and a half, I don’t think they are acting in good faith.”
On Tuesday, Minister of Public Service Henry Charles Usher argued that with thegovernment’s proposal union members would receive a fourteen percent salary adjustment over the course of the next four years. Prime Minister John Briceño and Minister of Education Oscar Requena presented the same argument today. But the unions disagree. They contend that the reinstated increments are due to them, because the Briceno took it away during the COVID-19 pandemic. Well, according to Prime Minister Briceño, the BNTU is not being truthful. He questioned why the unions show support around the negotiation table but act differently outside.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“This is where they are not being quite truthful. When we asked them to take a ten percent cut and to freeze increments, we were asking for everyone to make a sacrifice. During COVID, they got their full hundred percent salaries and they were not teaching most of the time and some of them were teaching online. They got their full salary. We had about thirty percent, an unemployment rate of thirty percent and an underemployment rate of thirty percent, that people were not getting their full salaries. I think the people from Love FM got about a fifty percent cut at that time and they could not go back to their bosses and say give me back what you took away. That is a part of the sacrifice asked from everyone. So they were to sacrifice also. So, now ok they want to come back and say we want it. We acted in good faith. We asked them for the pay cut in three years we did it for one year. We asked for wage freeze for three years, we did it for two, for emoluments. So now here we coming in good faith and say we will give you back. So its like they made no sacrifice at that time. Everybody needs to do their part. We can only give what we have. It is unfortunate that they are using the students as hostages and they can continue to do so, but we cant give what we don’t have. I think what bothers me is that these leaders whenever they are in the room they are very supportive of what is proposed and they felt it is something the membership will accept but when they leave the room I don’t know what happens to that.”
As tensions continue to rise between the government and the teachers’ union, the Minister of Education is weighing in. Oscar Requena says he hasn’t received any official word from the unions just yet—but he’s calling the reports of a looming strike “unfortunate.” Echoing the Prime Minister’s stance, Minister Requena insists the government simply doesn’t have the funds to meet the union’s full demands right now. With the clock ticking on a possible strike, the standoff shows no signs of cooling down.
Oscar Requena, Minister of Education
“I want to say that I have not received any official communication form the unions on their position on the proposal presented by the government and the joint negotiating team. So far what I am hearing is only what I am seeing appearing on social media. I would say it is rather unfortunate, because the joint negotiating team met with the leaders. I believe we had a very cordial and respectful meeting. WE would have hoped that the unions would seriously consider the proposal presented to them, given the fact that at this point government is proposing what it can give.”
Paul Lopez
“Is that the rational behind not giving them what they are asking for in a single instance?”
Oscar Requena
“We cannot, because the government cannot afford it and be believed that a phased in approach would be more reasonable to allow government to continue to grow the economy and be able to be in a better position to support our teachers. We proposed what we can offer and we also proposed what was some of the expectations that we also have. I believe that was made absolutely clear to all parties engaged. I don’t think at any point the union’s team indicate that they were not willing to consider the proposals. I don’t think that was even mentioned.”
The government isn’t just facing pressure from the unions—it’s also taking heat from the Opposition. Today, Queen Square Area Representative Godwin Haylock took aim at the Briceño administration, accusing it of breaking promises made to teachers. Haylock pointed to the Plan Belize manifesto, which pledged a 20 percent salary increase for educators. So, he says, it’s baffling that the government is now pushing back against an 8.5 percent adjustment. And in a sharp jab, Haylock also questioned the negotiation chops of the Deputy Prime Minister. News Five has more on the Opposition’s take.
Godwin Haylock, Area Representative, Queen Square
“If the ministry of education is genuine to the teachers, I call on the prime minister and his Cabinet colleagues to value our teachers and grant them the eight point five percent salary increase and unfreezing their salary increments. You know what the irony with the increase is, when the PUP on the other side was campaigning in 2020 under Plan Belize Manifesto they went from house to house promising that when they are elected teachers will receive a twenty percent salary increase between 2021 and 2025. This time the teachers are seeking a salary increase of eight percent with the unfreezing of their increments. I would have expected all smiles from the ministry of finance. This requested increase is not half of twenty percent originally promised by the PUP. Instead, the Minister of Finance reconvened his negotiation team. His chief negotiator is DPM, Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde. Based on the counter proposal from the team they have countered with a measly offer of three percent salary raise in October and additional increment at the start of the next fiscal year. The remaining five percent and the unfreezing of the additional increment not guaranteed under this proposal. Rember you all promised a salary increase of twenty percent under Plan Belize manifesto. Now you want the teachers to accept a measly salary increase of three percent. Of course, the teachers have to reject that proposal. DPM we all know your convincing skills are legendary, but that is a pill far too big for the teachers to swallow. Your team needs to rewind and come back with a meatier proposal.”
The standoff between the Belize National Teachers Union and the government has taken a sharp turn. Today, classrooms across the country sat empty as teachers staged a coordinated sickout, sending a loud and clear message to the Briceño administration: they’re not backing down. With exams around the corner and graduation season in full swing, the timing couldn’t be more critical. And with no word on when teachers will return, the pressure is mounting. Prime Minister John Briceño isn’t mincing words either, he says the teachers are holding students hostage. So, what happens next? News Five has the latest.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“We cant give what we don’t have and so If they are going to schools then theywill have to close the schools because we cannot do more.”
Paul Lopez
“You reaction to sickouts today, I understand schools across the country are closed, students are at home and multiple teachers called in sick.”
Prime Minister John Briceño
“Again that is on them. That is for them to look in the mirror and let their conscience be their guide. If they want to continue to sick out, what can I do.”
Paul Lopez
“You must be considering the students, it is exam and graduation time.”
Prime Minister John Briceño
“I think they should be considering it. They are the teachers, we are paying them with tax payers money and for them to use them as hostages that is on them.”
