NTUCB Urges Public to Join Friday’s Belmopan Protest

The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) says the government has made some progress on a few of its eleven demands for good governance, but that most of the list has seen no movement, and it is urging people to join a protest in Belmopan on Friday.

NTUCB President Ella Waight said the union has still not had a meeting with the prime minister. She said there has been some movement on the whistleblower legislation, which the union understands is now with the Attorney General’s Ministry, and on issues involving the Belize National Teachers’ Union. “But when it comes to the other issues, we have had no movement. We have not even had a meeting, like I mentioned, before the prime minister. So we are still on our campaign.”

The union is asking supporters to sign an online petition, which Waight said takes two clicks and is being shared on WhatsApp and the NTUCB Facebook page. She said the goal is to gather enough signatures to pressure the government to listen.

The union is also running an email drive aimed at elected officials. Waight said supporters can find a link on the NTUCB Facebook page or contact the union at 611-9809 to get it on WhatsApp. It leads to a page of photos of elected officials, including representatives and mayors, with their constituencies. Supporters click a constituency, which opens an email addressed to that official. “It is sent to that elected official, and they will get your email that says, ‘I support the eleven demands of the NTUCB.'” As my elected official, you need to ensure that you listen.”

Waight said supporters can add their name or send the email without one. She said the union is shifting its focus from street demonstrations to direct pressure on elected officials. Supporters can either join Friday’s “Enough is Enough” protest in Belmopan or wear black in solidarity with the movement.