Will the BNTU Take Action Over CEO Pay Hikes?

The Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) expressed strong disapproval over the salary increases granted to chief executive officers and the cabinet secretary, describing them as “obscene” while teachers continue to wait for overdue pay adjustments.

In an official statement released on Wednesday, April 16, the union said it noted “with tremendous concern, the obscene salary increases for government officials that has been made public through a recent document from the desk of the Cabinet Secretary.”

According to an official document dated March 28, 2025, signed by Cabinet Secretary Stuart Leslie and addressed to Financial Secretary Joseph Waight and the CEOs, the salary adjustments were approved but retroactively took effect from 13 March. The Cabinet Secretary’s annual salary was raised to $96,000, while CEOs to $88,000 annually, a 15.7% increase from the previous $76,000.

That same day, the President of BNTU, Nadia Martin-Caliz, addressed members in a livestream, saying, “I’ve heard your cries, I’ve received your messages, and everything. My action is going to take directly to your demands.”

The BNTU reminded the Government of Belize of its unmet commitments regarding educators’ frozen and outstanding increments.

She spoke on the disparity between public officers’ salary hikes and teachers’ unresolved issues, stating, “Every time we see persons being paid while our educators are suffering. We are now saying to you, the government of Belize, that the BTNU will be meeting with its affiliates and caucusing with its membership because we’re getting ready to take action.