Unions plan massive demonstration in support of teachers demand for increased salaries

BELMOPAN, Belize, CMC - The Belize government Tuesday urged education officials to ensure that schools remained opened and the safety of students assured as the National Trade Union Congress (NTU) announced it would be supporting teachers in the protest action for increased wages. The teachers, led by the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU), are staging a demonstration in the streets of the capital in support of their demands for a 30 per cent salary adjustment to deal with the high cost of living, which the Dean Barrow government says it is not in a position to meet. Education Minister Patrick Faber, who is heading the ministerial negotiating team, said the increment would amount to BDZ$30 million (One Belize Dollar = US$0.50 cents) annually.