‘Working-Class People of Belize Are One Paycheck Away From Poverty’

Union Senator Glenfield Dennison joined today’s “Enough is Enough” protest in Belmopan. He’s calling for greater attention to the cost-of-living crisis.

About twenty people are currently conducting the protest just outside of the National Assembly. 

Despite a noticeably slow start to today’s protest, Dennison said he’s out there to represent the working class. “I represent the workers of Belize. Nobody more than them understands what it is to try make it from one paycheck to the next paycheck,” he said.

He added, “A small group of people can make a difference. Especially when the issue resonates with the masses. The cost of living issue resonates with everyone who is trying to reach from one paycheck to the next paycheck.” 

Dennison reiterated the reality of the working-class, stating that by the time rent, utility bills and groceries are paid, salaries are already gone. That is the viscous cycle we are in now because the cost of living is too high. So I am out here because the working-class people of Belize feel like they are one paycheck away from poverty,” he said. 

Reports were also received that today’s protest was not approved and that the House Meeting was rescheduled to Thursday instead. Dennison called it a censorship tactic by the government, and a move that does not surprise him. 

“A government that refuses to listen to the people will do something like that. That is censorship; that’s all it is,” he said. “Moving a house meeting moving a meeting so that people’s protests don’t affect it is because they don’t want to listen to the people.” 

“We have elected people who see themselves as kings and rulers,” Dennison added.

Today’s protest is also a push by the NTUCB in demanding action on eleven good governance reforms submitted to the Briceño administration in August.