The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority Workers Union (KHMHAWU) is blasting the Briceño Administration for what it calls “blatant disregard for frontlineworkers”, following salary increases for high-ranking government officials while hospital staff remain without pension benefits.
As we have been reporting, a March 28 memo from Cabinet Secretary Stuart Leslie confirms that salary hikes for top officials took effect retroactively from March 13—raising the Cabinet Secretary’s pay to $96,000 and CEOs’ salaries to $88,000, a 15.7% increase.
“KHMHA workers—nurses, doctors, technicians, administrative and support staff—continue to serve the people of Belize without a pension plan, without answers, and without respect.”
The union called the move “a slap in the face” and demanded:
Pension reform for KHMHA staff
A freeze on salary hikes for political appointees
Resumption of good-faith negotiations
“No more empty promises; No more excuses; No pension = action,” the union declared, warning that if justice is delayed further, it will explore “all available options—including industrial action.”
