Students will remain at home this Friday, as their teachers are expected to attend a massive demonstration in Belmopan. But as the Belize National Teachers’ Union gears up for Friday’s protest, president Nadia Caliz is reminding its membership of their constitutional right to take industrial action. Caliz cites Section Thirteen of Belize’s constitution, which guarantees the freedom of assembly and association, including the right to form or join trade unions. Caliz advises school managements across the country not to intimidate or threaten union members participating in the demonstration, emphasizing the importance of respecting these fundamental rights.
Nadia Caliz, President, Belize National Teacher’s Union
“Every teacher has a constitutional right known as Freedom of Association. It’s connected to their fundamental rights within our Constitution. And even our Trade Union Act have a right to be a part of a union. You have a right to engage industrial action. All of those things cover us legally, and where we can prove that they’re being intimidated and denied up their rights, we’ll take it up legally too, because we cannot have this. Let me tell you, when you talk about a democracy like Belize. Inclusive participative democracy, not we’re talking about, we’re talking about allowing everybody to play their part. This is a part of democracy. Democracy means that people will disagree with you at times, they will agree with you, but don’t deny people of their constitutional right, because what they’re doing is not in alignment with your vision of stifling growth. That’s what they call it. ’cause this is a part of growth. Challenges of this nature is growth. We come out better, the union comes out better, the government better everything, because you’re addressing a concern that members have.”
