A Pay Raise is on the Table, PM Briceno Says It’s a Fair Deal

Prime Minister John Briceño is applauding his negotiation team after a key meeting with the joint unions in Belize City on Thursday. The government is offering a four-and-a-half percent salary adjustment this October, followed by another four percent boost in October 2026. On top of that, two salary increments are set to return, one in April 2026 and another in April 2027. PM Briceño is calling it an “affordable proposal,” but will it be enough to satisfy union demands? That’s the big question moving forward.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Also, we continue to work with our unions to come to a fair and just resolution om the matter of their salary adjustment. I am assured that yesterday’s meeting of the joint union negotiating team was cordial and productive. I have to take time to thank the DPM and his team, the chairman, Minister Requena, Minister Florencio, Minister Fonesca and Coye are both out of the country. But they had a good meeting, cordial, tense at times because both sides are working hard to make their points. I believe that at the end they have come with something that can be supported by both the government and the unions. Our government has once again offered a counterproposal to the unions that is affordable, one that would get for our teachers and public officers am eight point five percent salary adjustment and increments in a reasonable time period. We have never doubted we will reach an amicable solution with the unions because we have and will always continue to act in good faith. Just as we have no doubt that together we will manage the external and internal shocks we face. This PUP government has not and will not throw up our hands when it comes to facing the difficult tasks that come with governance. We will nether grieve or weep. We will work, because that is what the people expect from us and that is why they are standing with us.”