BELIZE-Teachers to appear in court for actions related to their industrial action

BELMOPAN, Belize, CMC – At least 11 teachers are due to appear before the Dangriga Magistrate’s Court on June 11, after they were charged in connection with blocking the roads last Wednesday as teachers took to the streets in support of a salary increase.

The Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) has defended its decision to shut down major roads and bring traffic to a standstill as negotiations with the government over salary increases appear to have hit a snag.

The teachers are seeking an 8.5% salary increase.

Police have since laid charges against obstructing police officers in the line of duty against the union members and teachers, including Ifasina Efunyemi.

The Belize Police Department said it is reviewing the law to determine what charges, if any, could be brought against the other protesting teachers.

The law firm Pitts Pitts & Associates has informed the Dangriga Magistrate’s Court that attorney Sharon Pitts will be representing the accused teachers.

Efunyemi blamed a mechanic at the entrance of town for several of the union members participating in the industrial action.

“ We decided to take the opportunity to raise concerns with the public about our fight with the government over our 8.5 percent salary adjustment, over the fact that we had frozen increments that are owed to us, the high cost of living, the high inflation rate, and so on.

“And so, we took the opportunity to give out fliers to people who were nearby, and we were just there, actually talking with each other and seeing how we could support and assist each other. The police were already aware that this was happening, and they appeared on the scene immediately. They stood on the side and looked at us.

“They saw that we were just there peacefully, talking with each other until the senior officers came on the scene. When they came on the scene, the situation escalated because they brought a tow truck. They didn’t offer any mechanical support,” she added.

Efunyemi said she is disappointed that the police have laid charges against the teachers.

“It’s shameful that they would take that position. Imagine scouring our laws to find how to stand against the very people who are standing for them, you see. And I see that as merely a form of political manipulation. That’s all that boils down to,” she added.