At this hour, the Senate is wrapping up an extended meeting in Belmopan that just entered its 9th hour. They're mainly debating Prime Minister Briceno's budget for the fiscal year 2021/2022.
But, while the Senators were discussing the pros and cons of this austerity budget, the teachers staged a protest outside the National Assembly Building. It's part of their push for good governance reforms which they think government administrations of the here and now and heretofore have delayed in implementing.
They say that corruption and maladministration are major reasons why the country's finances are in a prolonged difficulty - leading now to a full out crisis and he resulting 10 percent cut in public wages.
Our news team went Belmopan Today, and Daniel Ortiz has the story on the protest from the teachers:
Even after days of sustained protest activities, teachers from the Belize National Teachers Union were as lively as ever today. And, they have refined their talking points on the reasons for these industrial actions.
Although the 10% cut from public wages is the reason for this trade dispute, the membership of the joint unions are bringing pressure on what they see as a lack of political will from both mass parties to truly implement good governance policies and legislation.
Teachers were picketing with signs like this one, which says, 'Your greed is hurting the economy!' - and points to the perceived wealth of elected politicians vs the economic wellbeing of a regular citizen - and this one, which calls out successive governments of the Opposition UDP, and the ruling PUP, for what they say the unjust enrichment of themselves and their political friends and family members.
The teachers are attempting to drive home the point that mismanagement and corrupt acts in public life have contributed significantly to the financial ruin that the nation currently faces.
Teacher
"The green machine is out again and we are looking so beautiful, we are looking so energized, we are looking like we are here to send a message and the message will be clear. What are we sending?"
Crowd
"No more corruption."
Teacher
"Until things start to happen in action. We love you Cordel, but we don't want this administration. They have been saying that for years. Nothing has happen."
Hon. Elena Smith - National President, BNTU
"Our teachers they say that they are willing and they are prepared, so there are out here to show their discontent especially as it relates to the good governance issues and that's why we are here today again."
Jorge Mejia - 1st Vice-President, BNTU
"We are aware of the covid regulations. What we have today is not our full membership, because we are conscious on who we bring and we are careful of not spreading the disease. We have 10 branches today presented. We just ask for one or two bus for different branches, but this is not everybody, because health is our priority, safety of our teachers is our priority and safety of the country is also a priority."
But today's smaller group of protesters were no less forceful about what teachers want from the government of the day.
Jorge Mejia
"The opposition when they when they were in power they had 13 years to get ready and they knew before getting elected that this would be a hard task to do, so before then they should have been trying to get these legislations in place. We all want good governance and we will stick to our stand. At the end of the day because of the lack of good governance, we are here today and if they want and if they desire to do good for the country, these laws can be implemented as quick as possible. So it's just the will. We do not want to repeat this over, so if they want to cut our salaries they need to get their act together, bring these legislations that we are asking for as fast as possible. We know it would take a while, but it shouldn't be taking 8 months or one year, it could be done in 3 months, but we are tired of "I will do this, I will do that" promises. They need to show us this legislation drafts. They should have drafts. We were here 2016, we were crying for the UNCAC ratification. They knew that, so in their mind before they came into power they should have had in plan to speed up the UNCAC."
Reporter
'Do you think they are hearing you?"
Hon. Elena Smith
"Well we trust that they will. I mean you would expect that for the beginning it's going to be a hardball approach, but we are hoping that they will hear us and that they will do what they should be doing. That's what we are looking forward to."
Reporter
"How is the energy in terms of maintaining this stance from week to week?"
Hon. Elena Smith
"Its high at this point in time and we are hoping that it will remain this way especially next week when we expect to have our sister union joining us. And so we expect that as we have that other union it's going to be a bit higher."
