Teachers Without Pay Since July

The Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) is demanding urgent answers after months of unpaid salaries and unexplained deductions affecting teachers nationwide.

“Teachers not being paid from July, August, September, October. We shouldn’t be having this issue at all,” said the union’s president in a live address. “They have worked the entire month. They’re entitled to their salary… something has to be done.”

The union has written to the Ministry of Education and the Prime Minister, who also serves as Minister of Finance, requesting a meeting on Monday to resolve what they call a long-standing financial crisis.

Adding to the frustration are recurring “miscellaneous deductions” from teachers’ pay cheques. “An explanation needs to be given to these teachers in black and white… No more phone call explanation or no fake explanation,” the president said.

To build their case, the union is collecting data directly from affected members. “Before two o’clock… a link will be shared… If you have been affected, please fill out that form.” The compiled data will be delivered to the Prime Minister, whether or not a meeting is granted.

“This nuh di continue,” the president said. “Action, we will take.”

Efforts by News Five to obtain a response from the Ministry of Education were unsuccessful.