By the WBWTN News Team | May 8, 2025
Belmopan, Belize (WBWTN) - In a passionate and defiant message posted earlier today, the President of the Public Service Union of Belize (PSU) called on public officers across the nation to unite in a major rally scheduled for tomorrow. The rally is expected to bring together public servants, pensioners, and supporters in a show of solidarity against what the union describes as years of neglect and broken promises by the Government of Belize (GOB).
In a powerful address lasting just over three minutes, the union leader evoked the memory of the historic 2005 shutdown, when thousands of public servants marched and forced concessions from the government. "We won because we stood together," the leader declared, emphasizing that tomorrow’s protest is rooted in the same spirit of unity that once brought the country to a standstill.
A Call for Economic Justice
The union is demanding an 8.5% salary adjustment for pensioners, public officers, and teachers, a figure they say reflects both inflation and years of stalled negotiations. The PSU also renewed calls for an increase in the minimum wage for public sector workers to $6.00 an hour, highlighting that "no one should work full-time and live in poverty."
According to the union, public servants have been subsidizing government inefficiency for too long, enduring stagnant wages while politicians approve raises for themselves. The PSU’s leader condemned this double standard as hypocritical and unjust.
Rallying for the Future
The upcoming rally will begin at the PSU headquarters, located at the south end of the Hilltop General Field, with an alternate meeting point at Harriet Topsey Park. Protesters will then march around the Ring Road in Belmopan, a symbolic move to “let our voices be heard,” as the leader put it.
Beyond immediate demands, the message also touched on broader concerns: the well-being of retirees who "scrape by on crumbs," the future of Belizean children, and a call to reject the culture of exploitation and indifference.
A Growing Rift with GOB
The PSU’s message comes amid a growing rift between the unions and the Government of Belize. Union representatives have reported that letters have been ignored, negotiations delayed, and attempts made to intimidate their membership. The speech reflected deep frustration with the perceived disregard for the essential services provided by public workers, including nurses, sanitation staff, and domestic workers.
Political analysts suggest that the rally may serve as a pivotal moment in union-government relations, potentially reigniting widespread labor unrest if demands are not met.
Final Words: “Only We Can Save Us”
As the video ended, the union leader urged all members to wear their union colors, bring their families, and stand “shoulder to shoulder” in what he framed as a fight for dignity, fairness, and a livable wage.
