Unions Demand 8.5% Salary Adjustment

In a strongly worded letter addressed to Prime Minister John Briceño, the Joint Union Negotiating Team (JUNT) — representing the Public Service Union of Belize (PSU), the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU), and the Association of Public Service Senior Managers (APSSM) — has called for an 8.5% salary adjustment for public officers and teachers, citing rising economic hardship and growing disparities in compensation across the public sector.

The unions expressed deep frustration over what they described as a lack of equity in government spending. The letter highlighted recent increases in executive-level salaries and benefits, including for Chief Executive Officers, while frontline workers continue to shoulder the burden of past austerity measures.

The JUNT says this, “represents a grave injustice and a blatant disregard for the principles of equity and shared sacrifice.”

“These actions are perceived by our members as a betrayal of the trust and commitment they have shown to the Government and people of Belize.”

The unions argue that since the imposition of salary cuts and an increment freeze five years ago, inflation has significantly eroded the real income of public servants. They are proposing a phased implementation of the 8.5% salary increase to reflect this economic loss and are also advocating for a similar adjustment for pensioners.

In addition, the unions are calling for an increase in the minimum wage from $5.00 to $6.00 per hour, citing the rising cost of housing, utilities, and daily essentials.