The clock is ticking, and pressure is building. Labor Minister Florencio Marin Jr. is back in Belize after a two-week working trip to Geneva, but he’s returned to a growing crisis. The Public Service Union has officially declared a trade dispute with the government, and they’re making sure their voices are heard. Just last week, public officers marched through the streets of Belmopan, heading straight to the Labor Office to demand action. That was on June ninth, and now a twenty-one-day countdown to possible industrial action is underway. So, what’s at stake for the Briceño administration? According to P.S.U. President Dean Flowers, the Minister of Labor is aware of the union’s position.
Dean Flowers, President, Public Service Union
“He acknowledged receiving that trade dispute and he informed us that, in accordance with the law, he will now be considering that trade dispute based on the grounds in which it was declared. He has twenty-one days to do that and within that twenty-one days he’s supposed to either identify a solution or set up a tribunal to bring the parties together to find a solution. After twenty-one days the Public Service Union and all its essential services units attached to the Public Service Union can engage in full-fledged industrial action, including strike action. And so, I want to make clear that with the declaration of that trade dispute, it simply gives the government an opportunity to know that even the essential services are now at liberty to engage in any form of industrial action that they choose to. And that would be primarily the financial sector, BTSD, customs, immigration, the petroleum sector as well, civil aviation sector, the fire department, those are essential services. We have a strategic plan which involves strategic ministries and we will disrupt services every step of the way once the Briceno administration continues with the disrespect that they are doing. Today, I have a two-day visit in the Ladyville area to engage public officers, because public officers are also, it’s important that we engage with those public officers and we’ve been doing that countrywide. We’ve been saying to our branch chairs, “Reach out to your public officers, do your departmental visits, sensitize them on the issues and let them know that they voted for this trade dispute.”
It was a tense afternoon at the Philip Goldson International Airport, where members of the Public Service Union showed up to protest right at the country’s busiest travel hub. With signs in hand and voices raised, P.S.U. members made their presence known—right where visitors were arriving. But things didn’t stay quiet for long. Union President Dean Flowers was blocked from entering the terminal, his vehicle booted, and police presence ramped up. Still, the union stood firm, using the high-traffic location to spotlight their growing frustration with the Briceño administration, especially over that long-promised eight-point-five percent salary increase. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with the following story.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
This afternoon, the Public Service Union took their protest to one of the country’s busiest gateways—the Philip Goldson International Airport.
Dean Flowers
Dean Flowers, President, Public Service Union
“I was requested to do some office visit at the PGIA. I am carrying out my legal responsibility as president of this union It is not my fault that the Briceno administration is afraid that the visitors of this country to be informed of the oppressive administration that he’s administering.”
It was a peaceful but pointed demonstration, aimed at making sure their message reaches far beyond the picket lines. As visitors moved through the terminals, PSU members made their presence known, using the high-traffic location to spotlight their ongoing concerns with the government.
Dean Flowers
“Their tourist dollars is going in the pockets of a concession company who’s exploiting a contract that was recently renewed. He needs to say that to the tourists, he needs to justify that. Now, ih wah deny me from pick up my people dehn because he sees me as a threat. The biggest threat is Cabinet, that is where the deals are being brokered.”
With an increase in police presence at the PGIA, Flowers and other union members were blocked from entering the airport. Nonetheless, it was a bold move aimed at drawing national, and international, attention to their ongoing trade dispute with the government. With signs in hand and voices raised, the union is making it clear: their demands aren’t going anywhere.
Glenfield Dennison
Glenfield Dennison, Union Senator
“Our president had a meeting, and we are here to show our support to our president.”
Reporter
“So the president of the PSU has had to park outside of the barrier, as you guys can see. He’s been barred from entering.”
Glenfield Dennison
“Yes, they stopped me too. Well, they tried to stop me and then I told them about unlawful detention and the senior police officers had them open the barrier.”
In the parking lot nearby, a small but determined group of public officers stood their ground—posters in hand, message loud and clear. The Public Service Union is ramping up pressure on the Briceno administration, frustrated over stalled negotiations and that elusive 8.5% salary increase.
Annisa Gonzalez
Annisa Gonzalez, 1st Vice President, P.S.U.
“As you can see, my poster, it reflects of what exactly is happening. Now, we are harassing the trade unionists and that has become an important thing in Belize. It’s important for Belizeans to recognize that we don’t have freedom of speech anymore, we don’t have freedom of expression, we don’t have freedom of congregating. Today was geared towards letting the tourists understand what’s going on in Belize. We welcome all the tourists in the country, but as such, we have a lot of things that are going on. We have multiple police presence here. I’m not sure why we have so many police presence here right now, but that is what is happening right now.”
Things escalated quickly outside Terminal One this afternoon. Members of the Public Service Union took their demonstration a step further, blocking the entrance to the terminal in a bold show of defiance. A boot was placed on a vehicle belonging to PSU President Dean Flowers, but his supporters didn’t flinch.
Dean Flowers
“I cohn pick up sohn people and dehn lock my vehicle. How di hell dehn wahn lock my vehicle and I noh di utilize dehn parking lot. Then dehn wah look pan me and tell me that I haffi goh pay fifty dollars fuh mek dehn unlock my vehicle. What do they think, that I da di tourist weh dehn di charge forty-five dollars exit tax and exploit fi dehn own benefit? Noh man!”
The Public Service Union is standing firm, and they’re not standing alone. P.S.U. President Dean Flowers says the union is staying the course in its fight for fairness, and now they’re getting backup. Utility unions and other affiliates of the NTUCB are joining forces under the ‘Save Belize Campaign,’ showing solidarity with public officers and teachers. But Flowers isn’t just talking about salaries, he’s also raising serious questions about a decades-old airport concession deal and a sharp hike in departure taxes. According to him, it’s time to hold leaders accountable.
Dean Flowers, President, Public Service Union
“We will stay the course. We have no other option but stay the course. I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the utility unions who have reached out to the joint unions, who have sent their solidarity out to the unions publicly, who have met consistently over the past two weeks with the unions and who will join that ‘Save Belize Campaign with the other affiliates of the NTUCB and I want to acknowledge them this morning for that. Belize, we have an opportunity here, not simply to get equity in the public service for teachers and public officers, we have an opportunity here to hold our elected leaders accountable. We want to speak about the airport authority, the concession company. It seems that we forgot that that thirty-year concession which we couldn’t see expired two years ago. Was it renewed? And for how long was it renewed? Word is ninety-nine years. These are people who are not putting in even a cent in the airport because they are charging the departure tax now at forty-five U.S. dollars, overpricing the industry. So when the Minister of Tourism said two days ago that we did get wahn drop, of course we wahn get wah drop because unu have people who fleece di airport fi thirty years without putting in a cent, and now raising the departure tax to fund the expansion.”
The standoff continues between the Government of Belize and the Joint Union Negotiating Team, with no resolution in sight over the unions’ demand for an eight-and-a-half percent salary increase for public service workers. The government says it simply can’t afford to pay that amount upfront this fiscal year, but it’s offering to phase it in over three years. That proposal? Flatly rejected by union members, who are also raising red flags about a new five percent pension contribution for incoming public officers starting in October. Just last week, union leaders marched to the Ministry of Labor in Belmopan, formally declaring a trade dispute. So, what’s next? We spoke with the government negotiator, Senator Christopher Coye, to find out if a new offer is on the table.
Christopher Coye, Government Negotiator
“I think that’s a decision for the cabinet and Prime Minister, but ultimately we can only do what we can afford. So the finances and reviewing the finances, looking at what makes economic sense, what makes financial sense, not just for today but for tomorrow and further into the future is what we have to have a bunch of before any adjustments can be made. What is clear is that we can afford what was proposed in a second proposal.”
Reporter
“And was that, as the teachers read it, that it was including the four percent linked to the pension changes and some pension reform?”
Christopher Coye
“I think the pension reform propositions that’s been on the table, that’s been a part of the ongoing discussions between the government and the joint unions for a couple of years now. There’s been quite a bit of analysis, but what is absolutely clear, certainly what I’ve seen, is that there has been miscommunication, if not misinformation being provided to the public by the joint unions. So far as what the reform proposals constitute. There is no proposition that all existing public officers and teachers immediately have to pay five percent contribution. That’s totally inaccurate. And what is in fact the case and what is being put on as the proposition is an incremental move from non-contributory to a contributor’s pension plan. There is no non-contributory pension plan for public officers in the entirety of the Caribbean and Latin America. It’s a total anomaly that it continues to exist in Belize. But at the same time, I think the government recognizes that it has to be a process, there has to be a process both in relation to contribution rate, in relation to retirement age and in relation to the replacement rate.”
What started as a series of talks between the unions, and the government has now turned into a war of words, with both sides pointing fingers. Earlier this month, former Education Minister Francis Fonseca took a swipe at the unions, saying their ongoing protests could cost them credibility, even among their own supporters. But the unions aren’t backing down. They say the government’s latest letter wasn’t exactly written in the spirit of compromise. So, where do things stand now? We spoke with government negotiator Senator Christopher Coye to get his perspective.
Christopher Coye
Christopher Coye, Government Negotiator
“I’m not sure about the tone. What I would say is we’ve had one meeting between the cabinet subcommittee for union consultation and the joint unions negotiating team. And that meeting was very cordial. We had high expectations coming out of that meeting. It is unfortunate that that meeting did not yield an agreement, but there was every effort made in that meeting to reach something that was reasonable, satisfactory, and affordable.”
Reporter
“What about the argument that they’ve made though that pension discussion started way before the request of a salary increase. So the fact that it’s being tied now to the salary increased the made contingent to that. They were opposed to that.”
Christopher Coye
“I’m not sure about the logic on that one because if that’s the case, then maybe the pension should have been introduced first.”
Reporter
“You guys were talking pension reform from years ago, that salary increase request happened after the CEOs got their increase.”
Christopher Coye
“Right. That’s why there is an interest in getting the pension reform done.”
Reporter
“Yeah, but you are making a contingent talk in your letter.”
Christopher Coye
“No, I think what the letter speaks to is a process similar, like what is proposed on the salary increase. What is, I think needs to be clarified is that the government agreed to the entirety of the salary increase the full eight and a half percent. The government fully agree to eight and a half percent salary increase, just that it’d be introduced in a phased manner, in a way that the government or the fiscal finances afford.”
Just when it seemed like progress might finally be on the horizon, another delay. The Joint Union Negotiating Team and the Government of Belize were set to meet today to iron out key details of the long-awaited Collective Bargaining Agreement, on top of the ongoing salary dispute. But that meeting? Postponed. So, what happened? Government negotiator Christopher Coye says there’s a reason for the delay, and we’ve got the details coming up.
Christopher Coye, Minister of State, Ministry of Finance
“I think that meeting actually had to do with the collective bargaining agreement framework. So, the view is that the matter between the unions and the government in relation to salary increase should be resolved, and then we move forward into the collective bargaining agreement discussions.”
Reporter
“Will you call them to a meeting? The government?”
Christopher Coye
“The subcommittee meets with the instructions of cabinet. Cabinet is later to meet on Tuesday, upcoming next week. And once that meeting is held, I’m sure that cabinet will give marching orders to the subcommittee and a meeting will probably follow from that.”
It’s been over twenty-four hours since thirteen-year-old Lizy Suntecun vanished from her school compound in San Jose Succotz—and the search is growing more urgent by the hour. With no leads and no sign of the young girl, her family is clinging to hope, while residents of the village have rallied together, forming search parties to help bring her home. Lizy, who lives in Melchor, Guatemala with her mother, crosses the border daily with her younger siblings to attend school in her father’s village. But what started as a routine school day took a troubling turn when she reportedly left the compound during lunch, telling friends she was going with an aunt. Since then, nothing. News Five’s Paul Lopez traveled west today to find out more. Here’s his report.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
It’s now been a two-full day since thirteen-year-old Lizy Suntecun vanished from the San Jose Roman Catholic Primary School, and concern is growing. According to the school’s principal, Jenri Castanaza, Lizy was part of the school’s lunchtime feeding program and had no reason to leave the compound during lunch hour. But somehow, she did and hasn’t been seen since. As the hours tick by, the search intensifies and questions mount: how did she slip away, and where could she be?
Jenri Castanaza
Jenri Castanaza, Principal, San Jose R.C. School
“Lizzie who is a part of our feeding program sat in school and had lunch. We usually keep our back gates closed at tis time since we only have one school warden. She waited until twelve forty-five when we opened the gate since other students are returning from home and that was the time when she walked out of the school compound and left. When we noticed she was missing, the class teacher informed me that she was not in class and we immediately reportedly it to the parents, because it is not normal for her to go missing since she is a part of the program and does not leave to have lunch anywhere else.”
School officials say Lizy left through a back gate that’s usually unsupervised during lunch, telling a friend she was going with an aunt. But she never returned. Now, her family and authorities are zeroing in on a white pickup truck that witnesses say she was seen entering just outside the school compound. As the hours pass, her loved ones grow more desperate, hoping for any sign that Lizy is safe.
Oralia Rosado
Oralia Rosado, Grandmother of Missing Child
“The principal went to classroom to ask if you have seen Lizzy and one girl say, Lizy told me that at twelve forty-five her aunt will come and get her. But she does not have an aunt. I don’t know why she say that. I don’t know why there is a person who take her. From now it has been two days and we have nothing if somebody take her, we don’t know that.”
Reporter
“What have you all done over the last two days in your search for her?”
Oralia Rosado
“In that day we went straight to Corozalito because there is a person who has a pickup, a white pickup and we speak to the lady she say she does not have any children going to standard five. She told us about her friend that lives at the back. When we reach there the house was closed and plenty dogs so we don’t go. We informed the police. I know a CIB was speaking to the mother like two hours and a half. They called the father speaking to him again and from then the police, nobody has done nothing.”
Lizy lives in Melchor de Mencos, Guatemala with her mom. She and her two siblings travelled across the border daily, with the assistance of their dad in village, to attend school. A small group of village residents, led by Armando Cocom, formed a search party today in support of the family.
Armando Cocom
Armando Cocom, Resident, San Jose Succotz
“Like how you say it has struck the community. The community is mourning right now. They are suffering with the family and any assistance given to them would be really appreciated. It is very sad that this is happening in our beautiful village. It is not the first time I am doing this, I have helped other families sin regard of this matter. I have kids and I would not like something like this happening to anyone of my kids. We need to take this and try and assist the families, because it is a serious matter and we should be working together and assist the family in this matter.”
The San Jose R.C. School compound is not equipped with surveillance camera. According to principal Castanaza, monitoring sixty children participating in the feeding program is a challenge for the kitchen staff, a hand full of teachers who stay behind and a single school warden. Principal Castanaza says the entire school is shocked and saddened by Lizy’s disappearance, while acknowledging the need for increased security on the compound.
Paul Lopez
“There are reports of a white vehicle. Did anyone from the school, perhaps one of your teachers, saw her enter a white vehicle?”
Jenri Castanaza
“Unfortunately, no one saw her leaving. The only reports I have received is from the classmate who told me the people waiting on her was in a white vehicle. According to the student, it was a female, a male and a child that was in that vehicle.”
Oralia Rosado
“We ask the people all over Belize, make they help us. If somebody see something please call me. My number is six, six, one, fifty-eight, fifty-five.”
Tonight, the search continues, and the questions only grow. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
Belize is opening a new chapter in regional trade, and it starts with a handshake. This morning, business leaders from Belize and Trinidad and Tobago came together to break down trade barriers and build new opportunities. The two nations kicked off a three-day trade mission right here in Belize City, aiming to strengthen ties and boost economic growth. News Five’s Britney Gordon has the story from the Fort George Hotel.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
With global trade winds shifting, Belize is looking closer to home for stronger economic ties. As U.S. tariffs continue to ripple through small economies, regional collaboration is more important than ever. That’s why the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry has teamed up with its Trinidad and Tobago counterpart to launch a three-day trade mission, right here in Belize City. The goal is to break down barriers and unlock new opportunities across the Caribbean. Vashti Guyadeen, CEO of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber, shared insights at today’s kickoff session.
Vashti Guyadeen
Vashti Guyadeen, C.E.O., Trinidad & Tobago Chamber of Industry & Commerce
“So this event we started planning for the event more than three months ago, and it was guided by market intelligence and the request of our members. The idea behind this is to help our members expand into new markets that they feel that they could make a difference. So we are focusing, we have a small delegation of just roughly ten companies from the agriculture services as well as creative industries that are looking to expand into the Belizean market. So we are here for roughly three days and it’s more so where we are also looking for joint ventures. So it’s sustainable trade within the region, focusing on the CARICOM countries.”
Belize and Trinidad and Tobago are taking their trade ties to the next level. At today’s event, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed a major agreement with its Trinidadian counterpart, one that promises to break down trade barriers and open the flow of market information between the two nations. Minister of State Christopher Coye says the partnership builds on a strong foundation, but there’s still plenty of room to grow.
Christopher Coye
Christopher Coye, Minister of State, Ministry of Finance
“I think we exported, I think the number was around ninety-seven million last year to. To Trinidad and we import quite a bit less. But the opportunity is there for increased trade among both countries.”
Also attending the event was the Belize Coalition of Service Providers, which provided technical expertise about the local market to the visiting delegation. The president of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce shares her goals for the three-day mission.
Sonji Chase-Pierre
Sonji Chase-Pierre, President, Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry & Commerce
“Following this opening ceremony, we are actually going to go into our business to business meetings where through our counterpart, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry, they were able to partner linkages with business persons who would be paired with our delegates and further discussions on where we see trade and investment opportunities. What we are looking for as an outcome of this mission is to solidify the curriculum and single marketing economy where we could forge alliances and promote regional and economic trade between our islands and within CARICOM, because we really believe, as your minister said that there is greater resilience in shared and collaborations between the countries within CARICOM.”
In today’s unpredictable global economy, small nations like Belize are learning that strength lies in unity. That’s why forging strong regional alliances isn’t just smart, it’s essential. These partnerships help build resilience, ensuring that when global shocks hit, countries like ours can weather the storm and keep moving forward. It’s all about creating a Caribbean community that thrives together.
Vashti Guyadeen
“ We have engaged in ventures before, but this time it’s different because it’s structured. Also today, you will see a signing what we call a Trade and Business Alliance agreement with the Belizean Coalition of Services Providers and the Belize Chamber of Commerce. Why are we signing these agreements? These agreements are meant to deepen trade between both countries and to provide a structure. So it’s not just an agreement that would sit on a shelf, but the idea behind it is to have an action plan where we have deliverables over the course of the next three to five years.”
According to Chase-Pierre, there is no timeframe in the agreement. She believes that through mutual participation, it will remain an enduring partnership.
Sonji Chase-Pierre
“It is perpetual. It is not just as we said in our speeches, a ceremonial sign in. It is an intention to forge relationships, and we believe that the two business organizations in Belize, which are represented by the Belize Chamber of Commercial Industry and the Belize Services, will be able to afford their members and our members the opportunities for those partnerships. The whole idea behind the agreements will be to provide market access. We will be providing market access information, market intelligence information in Trinidad and Tobago. We will be looking for business partners with our counterparts in Belize and linking them with those counterparts.”
Over the course of the trade mission, the nations will also discuss the path forward to creating more bold partnerships that can inspire other regional partners. Britney Gordon for News Five.
The meeting was attended by members of Belize’s agriculture, service, and trade sectors.
Long-time employee Gerald Henry held a press conference this morning, claiming he’s the target of what he calls a sustained attack on his credibility and seniority, allegedly at the hands of his own department head. This comes just a week after Henry and former public officer Doreth Obermayer staged a protest outside the Ministry of Public Service, accusing supervisors of using the Public Service Regulations as a weapon against staff. Now, in response to a press release from the Auditor General’s office labeling them as ‘audit risks,’ Henry is firing back, saying the real issue is a controversial code of ethics he believes is not only illegal, but weaker than existing regulations. So, what’s really going on behind the scenes? We’ve got the details.
Doreth Obermayer, Retired Public Officer
“While I was working in the office of the Auditor General there was this so-called code of ethics that was forced on audit officers to sign. Once this document was not signed, you were not assigned an audit task. Reason stated was that you place the audit at risk. This document that they forced the officers to sign is an international document that had nothing to do with GOB and the office of the Auditor General. The Government of Belize never signed on to this document. It was adopted by a former auditor general upon attending a Caribbean Organization of Supreme Audit Institution event where he signed and agreed to adopt the International Standard for Supreme Audit Institution. The Government of Belize was never aware of an auditor general adopted and ratified international standard which was never tbled in the house of representatives. With all that, the Office of the Auditor General still continue to force officers to sign the document or else you will be pushed aside or no work is assigned to you.”
Imagine showing up to work every day—but with no tasks, no responsibilities, and no explanation. That’s exactly what Gerald Henry and Doreth Obermayer say happened to them after being barred from conducting audits. Despite still receiving their salaries, they claim they were left in professional limbo for months. Henry says things only got worse, his performance appraisals took a nosedive, and every attempt to raise the alarm, from the Ministry of Public Service to the Prime Minister himself, has gone unanswered. So, what’s really going on behind closed doors? We’re digging into the details.
Gerald Henry, Public Officer
“Because we refused to sign a totally illegal and unconstitutional document, we were not given any task to do for over two and a half years. During the two and a half years we were instructed not do any work we were still required to submit weekly reports. This is the weekly report we were asked to complete. It ask for completed activities for the entire week. Of course the activity was not to do anything, so it was not applicable for us because we were asked not to do any work. So there were no activities. The only activities were on Fridays because the report was due on a Friday. So the only activity was to prepare and submit the weekly report. Then they asked us to give an ongoing activity. Again, you told me not to do any activity so that is not applicable. And then they asked us to do challenges and setbacks to do nothing. I didn’t have any challenge and setback to do nothing at all. So that was not applicable. Then there is a part where they asked us what we intend to do the following week. That again was not applicable because you instructed me not to do any work.”
