2025-05-09 - Channel 5 Belize

Public Officers Demand Dignity as PSU President Criticizes CEO Perks

Public Service Union President Dean Flowers delivered scathing remarks aimed at both the current and past governments. Speaking before a crowd of public officers and teachers demanding better wages and working conditions, Flowers accused successive administrations of keeping workers “hungry” while rewarding high-level officials with extravagant benefits.

“I know that the Briceño administration, the Barrow administration, the Musa administration, and even the Esquivel administration… part of their formula is throw crumbs to them and keep them hungry, just don’t let them die,” Flowers declared. “Their formula is not to uplift all of us and make them live like Thea Garcia and the CEOs who can travel the world for weekends.”

Flowers said the lavish perks given to Chief Executive Officers stand in stark contrast to the daily financial struggles of frontline public servants. “We must be treated with dignity, and we will not allow you to continue to throw crumbs to us,” he added. “We have a right to raise our voice every time you raise your voice… none of you are better than me.”

The demonstration, staged in front of the National Assembly during the ceremonial opening of Parliament, marked the beginning of escalating industrial action by public sector unions seeking an 8.5% salary increase and better benefits.

Teachers Feel Ignored as CEO’s Raise Fuels Protest

A televised interview with Ministry of Education CEO Dian Maheia has sparked outrage among teachers, leading to a 25% surge in attendance at Friday’s demonstration in Belmopan, according to Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) President Nadia Caliz.

“They took issue with the CEO… they found her response to be arrogant,” Caliz said, referring to Maheia’s comments on Open Your Eyes. “I did not ask for a raise, my boss gave me—and now they want to demonstrate against me. In my view, she should have been quiet.”

Caliz accused the government of double standards, saying, “Our teachers are saying, ‘Boss, you didn’t recognize us,’ because it is the same boss. It’s an Animal Farm type of mentality we see happening.”

She added that while teachers want to return to the classroom, they feel disrespected. “The hard work they do needs to be recognized. The love they have for these students and the classroom needs to be recognized.”

Looking ahead, Caliz said the next step depends on government negotiations. “We go to the table, and we engage in phase two based on what they say… We still have the CBA and other issues to address.”

PM Briceno Says Union Demands Amount to $63 Million

Following the ceremonial opening of Parliament in Belmopan on Monday, Prime Minister John Briceño addressed growing pressure from unions demanding an 8.5% salary increase. The Prime Minister acknowledged the unions’ right to demand better wages but cautioned that meeting their requests would significantly impact the national budget.

Briceño revealed that preliminary figures from the Ministry of Finance estimate the proposed salary increase would add approximately $63 million to the government’s already substantial wage bill.

“I think it is their right to make those demands and ask of the government,” said Briceño. “It is our responsibility to meet with them and see what we could afford. If we can afford that, we will give it to them. If we can give them more, we will gladly give it to them.”

However, he said there is a need for fiscal responsibility. “The pie is one size. It is not bigger and it is growing slowly, but the demands are growing even larger. The wage bill is over seven hundred million dollars,” the Prime Minister stated.

Briceño warned that recklessly increasing the wage bill could force the government to slash critical social programs. “It gives us time to think that if we do that recklessly, then we may have to cut social programs or other things we want to do. So it is a balancing act from our end,” he explained.

He said the government will continue to engage with union leaders in hopes of reaching a compromise. “We sit down and try to talk to them to find a common ground that can meet some of their objectives, but at the same time for us to be a responsible government.”

Cashew Festival Tradition Lives On in Crooked Tree

The vibrant Crooked Tree Cashew Festival and Agricultural Show made a flavourful return this past weekend, drawing Belizeans from all over the country to celebrate a cherished tradition rooted in community, culture, and cashew. Now in its 37th year, the annual event transformed the village’s football field into a hub of activity, offering a wide array of cashew-based treats—from the traditional to the innovative.

Crooked Tree Village Chairman, George Tillett, reflected on the festival’s humble beginnings. “It is that time of year,” Tillett said. “For some people, they call it Crooked Tree Christmas in April and May, because that is when a lot of cash is generated through these famous cashew products. It’s a tradition that goes on from year to year—only getting better.”

The event highlights the versatility of the cashew fruit, with stalls boasting everything from jams, jellies, pastries, and wine to more experimental items like pickled cashew and cashew milk. Long-time resident Verna Samuels stressed the effort put into showcasing the fruit in new and creative ways. “We’re trying to make as many things as possible out of cashew,” Samuels explained. “We’re sticking to traditional jams, juices, jellies, desserts, pastries, even butter. But this year we’re also trying things like pickling cashew and bringing back preserved versions. And we’re giving cashew milk another go—it tastes a bit like almond milk, and people seem to like it.”

Across the venue, both traditional and non-traditional dishes infused with cashew were on display. Residents like Joan Marie Swasey Arana and Ricky Burns showed off their techniques for preparing the fruit and nut.

“The fruit is very important—especially for people that make wine, jams, and jellies,” said Burns. “But with the recent dry weather and heat, we don’t get as many fruits as we used to. Still, we collect them, separate the nuts, wash, dry, and roast them. It’s a process, but the value is worth it.”

Man Jumps Off BelCan Bridge to Evade Police in Daring Morning Escape

This morning in Belize City, it was a chaotic scene after a man made a daring jump off the BelCan bridge into the water below to evade police officers. The incident took place this morning around seven thirty a.m. when a man, seemingly pursued by police, took an unexpected route and plunged into the water.

In a video captured shortly after the man entered the water, a boat that happened to be passing by stopped to let the authorities on board. The police officers then continued their search for the man in the water, however, he had already slipped away into the bushes, once again avoiding police capture.

The details of why he was being pursued remain unknown at this time.

Parliamentarians Meet in Belmopan Amid Demonstration

A joint ceremonial sitting of the House of Representatives and Senate was held this morning in Belmopan, marking the first official session since the People’s United Party’s re-election on March 12. The event unfolded outside the Sir Edney Cain Building, drawing members of both the House and the Senate, even as a large number of public officers and teachers staged a major demonstration just blocks away.

Led by the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU), with support from the Public Service Union (PSU) and the Association of Public Service Senior Managers (APSSM), the protest coincided deliberately with the ceremonial sitting. The unions are demanding salary increases, improved working conditions, and urgent action on a long-pending collective bargaining agreement.

Inside the ceremony, Prime Minister John Briceño honoured Tropic Air pilot Howell Grange and passenger Jair Castaneda for their bravery in preventing a hijacking on April 17. Both were in attendance and received a standing ovation. Another passenger involved, Fitzgerald Brown, remains hospitalised.

In his address, the Prime Minister shifted focus to national security, announcing sweeping legislative reforms aimed at curbing gun violence and gang activity.

“Most importantly, Cabinet has given directives to the Attorney General’s Ministry to draft legislative amendments to increase the penalty for illegal firearm possession to 10 years,” said Briceño.

He also addressed ongoing concerns about the impact of emergency powers on citizens. “Adjustments will also be made to a state of emergency provisions under the Constitution to ensure that our law-abiding citizens and visitors feel free and are not negatively impacted by curfew and restricted mobility. The good must not suffer for the bad,” he said.

“We must call it what it is — not a state of emergency, but a gang intervention period,” Briceño declared. “Our government refuses to allow our citizens to be held hostage by criminal gangs, and we will do whatever it takes to protect and preserve the safety and security of our citizens and visitors. We know we can and will win this fight against criminal behaviour.”

Governor-General Dame Froyla Tzalam and Speaker of the House Valerie Woods also delivered remarks during the session.

BNTU Launches First Phase of Industrial Action

A wave of green and unity swept through the streets of Belmopan today as members of the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU), joined by the Public Service Union (PSU) and the Association of Public Service Senior Managers (APSSM), staged a massive demonstration. The protest coincided with the ceremonial opening of the National Assembly and marked the launch of the BNTU’s three-phase industrial action plan.

The demonstration, backed by more than 2,500 union members, signals mounting frustration over delayed salary adjustments, unfulfilled agreements, and the rising cost of living. The unions are demanding an 8.5% salary increase for teachers, a raise in the minimum wage from $5 to $6, an increase in the transfer grant from $1,200 to $1,500, and swift action on a Collective Bargaining Agreement submitted last November.

Speaking to News Five, BNTU President Nadia Caliz said today’s turnout exceeded expectations. “I thought we would see around 2,500 to 3,000 teachers, but thanks to a media interview yesterday, our numbers surged by over 25%,” she stated. “This isn’t about attacking anyone. We’ve waited long enough. Our teachers are still waiting on increments and salary adjustments while others have received theirs. It’s time for us to get our piece of the pie.”

Despite the scale of the demonstration, the Ministry of Education instructed all schools to remain open. In response to union pressure, the government has formed a negotiation team, led by Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde, to begin talks with union representatives.

Outraged After Incident at School Leaves Infant Student Injured

A Facebook post is drawing public attention to a troubling incident at a primary school, where an infant – one student was reportedly pushed by another child, resulting in serious injury.

According to the post, the young girl sustained a black eye and required emergency medical attention. In a follow-up post, the parent revealed that the child also received stitches to her head. “Poor baby’s head has stitches,” the sister wrote.

The sister’s posts accuse both the teacher responsible for supervising the children and the aggressor’s parents of negligence. “Please, if you’re a parent and you know your child is rude, put a leash on them before someone else has to do it for you,” she wrote. “My sister is in infant one — how can a child so small be so badly hurt from a push?”

She also questioned where the teacher was during the incident and called for more accountability in schools.

The emotional posts have sparked a wider conversation online about child discipline, school supervision, and student safety.