NTUCB to GOB: None of Our Demands Met

The National Trade Union Congress of Belize says none of its 11 demands has been met as submitted, after Cabinet responded in a 3-page letter to the Unions’ major proposals involving BTL, the PUC and the Revenue Authority Bill.

The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) issued its preliminary response this week to a three-page letter from Prime Minister John Briceño outlining Cabinet’s position on demands submitted by the umbrella union body in August.

The NTUCB said several of its demands were overlooked entirely and none was met in the form presented. It also noted that the Prime Minister’s response arrived 18 days after its August 28 deadline.

The Congress stopped short of issuing a detailed rebuttal, saying consultations are underway with its council, affiliated unions, the Joint Social Partners and other stakeholders. It said a full written response would follow.

The Government’s September 15 letter, meanwhile, sets out areas where Cabinet has rejected the unions’ proposals and others where it has offered further consultation, timelines or alternative measures. Prime Minister Briceño concluded that Government could not agree to all the proposals but remained prepared to work with the unions through consultation.

BTL BOARD STAYS

Among the clearest disagreements is the NTUCB’s demand for the removal of the chairman and Government-appointed directors of Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL).

Cabinet rejected the request, arguing that there was no basis under Belize’s company law to remove the chairman or directors. Government also pointed to what it described as BTL’s record-high profits in the last financial year and said the terminated attempt to acquire Speednet was not sufficient reason to dismiss members of the board.

The Government similarly rejected the NTUCB’s proposed tripartite structure at BTL. It argued that union representation already exists on the board through the Belize Social Security Board and therefore saw no reason for the proposed restructuring.

That explanation drew a specific objection from the NTUCB in its latest statement. The Congress said Government’s assertion that unions already hold a seat on the BTL board misrepresents both the nature of that seat and Government’s ability to act.

The disagreement over BTL follows weeks of friction surrounding the company’s proposed acquisition of Speednet Communications, which Cabinet announced in August it did not support. The NTUCB had subsequently demanded the removal of BTL Chairman Markhelm Lizarraga and three other board members.

NO RESTRUCTURING OF PUC

Cabinet also rejected the demand to restructure the Public Utilities Commission (PUC).

The Prime Minister’s letter pointed to the PUC’s statutory status as an autonomous institution whose functions and powers should be free from external influence. It noted that commissioners are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister following consultation with the Leader of the Opposition. On that basis, Government said it could not support the requested restructuring.

Government was more receptive to the NTUCB’s request for a union liaison within the Office of the Prime Minister. Rather than committing to a new liaison position, however, the Prime Minister encouraged greater collaboration through the Joint Unions Negotiating Team and proposed quarterly meetings with the unions.

GOVERNANCE REFORMS GET TIMELINES

On several good-governance demands, Cabinet outlined work already underway rather than rejecting the underlying objectives.

Government said it had considered feedback from the NTUCB and Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the Protected Disclosures Bill. A Cabinet-approved final draft has been sent to both organisations for review, with the Minister of Governance scheduling a meeting for October 22.

Campaign-finance legislation is also being drafted. According to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Governance intends to submit the legislation to Cabinet by December 8, after which an approved draft would be shared with social partners and other stakeholders.

On implementation of the Civil Asset Recovery and Unexplained Wealth Act, Government said work is underway to establish the Civil Recovery Authority Unit within the Financial Intelligence Unit. The FIU and other authorities are reviewing infrastructure requirements and Belize’s legislative and operational framework, while a budget is being finalised to operationalise the unit.

Cabinet also maintained that it respects the independence of the Office of the Ombudsman and said the process of filling the vacant post has advanced. Interviews have been conducted, and the bipartisan Ombudsman Reports Committee is expected to submit recommendations before a resolution for the appointment is tabled in the Senate.

GOVERNMENT STANDS BY REVENUE AUTHORITY

Another significant disagreement concerns the Revenue Authority Bill, 2026.

The NTUCB had called for the legislation to be halted in its current form. Cabinet refused, maintaining that establishing a Semi-Autonomous Revenue Authority is necessary for effective and transparent revenue collection.

Government also cited a recent Standard & Poor’s sovereign credit-rating review which, according to the Prime Minister’s letter, criticised Belize for failing to advance revenue reforms. Cabinet argued that withdrawing the legislation would be counterproductive and could affect Belize’s outlook.

It nevertheless pledged to work with the Public Service Union and Tax Department employees on the transition and to address what it described as legitimate concerns administratively.

TEACHERS OFFERED FURTHER DISCUSSIONS

Cabinet also responded separately to demands originating from the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU).

On August duties, the Ministry of Education said it was prepared to discuss when and how continuing professional development is delivered. It noted that exemptions from August duties already exist for up to 10 days upon application and proposed establishing a joint MOE-BNTU working group.

The Ministry also expressed willingness to discuss a classroom resource allowance but did not commit to a cash payment. It said Government has spent the past three years providing packages of classroom materials to schools in phases and argued that further discussions should determine whether support should be provided in cash or in kind, the extent of coverage and how it would be financed.

UB FUNDING TO INCREASE

On University of Belize-related demands, Government said the institution’s annual subvention has increased from $7.6 million in 2020 to $10 million in 2026.

When student financial assistance is included, Government placed its current annual investment in UB at approximately $14 million and said total investment since 2021 exceeds $73 million. The administration has committed to increasing the subvention by $1 million annually beginning in 2027 until it reaches $15 million.

NTUCB PREPARING FULLER RESPONSE

The NTUCB has not accepted Cabinet’s response as satisfying its demands.

Its latest statement maintains that several demands were not addressed and that none was granted in the form requested. The Congress said it would now consult its affiliates and other social partners before issuing its detailed response.