Opposition Chides Government Over Proposal to Unions

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.”