NTUCB Rejects PM’s Response, Prepares Further Action
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) says none of its 11 demands were met and is preparing further actions in response to Prime Minister John Briceño’s reply on September 15.
The NTUCB says several demands were overlooked entirely, including the Vo-Tech salary scale, two back-pay issues affecting BNTU members and a timeline for filling the vacant Ombudsman post.
The union also rejected the Prime Minister’s position that organised labour already has representation on the Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) board through the Social Security Board.
NTUCB said that seat is not designated as a union position and is instead held by an individual elected to the Social Security Board. It said the government could align BTL’s governance with tripartite principles through its own representatives without legislative changes.
The union said the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Belize Network of NGOs also share its position on several governance issues, including BTL board representation, whistleblower protection and the Revenue Authority bill.
NTUCB said these issues are connected to legislation that complies with the United Nations Convention against Corruption and would strengthen transparency, accountability and the rule of law.
The union also criticised the government’s approach to consultation, saying it had received no time-bound commitments or a date for a meeting to discuss the demands.
NTUCB said its council has met to discuss the government’s response and that it has also met with the Joint Social Partners.
The union says it is now preparing activities and actions in the coming days, which it says will increase in effectiveness and resolve until all 11 demands are addressed.