The above hard times issues, said President of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize Rene Gomez to the BELIZE TIMES, call for more money for Belizean workers.

While prices are going up, “sadly” wages aren’t, remarked Gomez.

He said the Unions are putting together a set of proposals for Government which include an increase in public officers’ wages of “nothing less than 4% for now”.

Union organizations will also lobby for an increase of the minimum wage to $4.50 for domestic and manual labourers, Gomez added.

In the history of Belize, the minimum wage has only been increased twice; both times under a PUP administration. The most recent increase in low wages occurred last year, an initiative by the former Musa Government.

Gomez also said he expects teachers and all public officers to get the salary increases in the upcoming fiscal year. He was also hopeful that better salaries for BDF soldiers, Police Officers and nurses, which were approved by the PUP Government late last year, will be honored by the Barrow Administration.

Similar proposals for wage increases are being presented by Unions from across the region. In Barbados employers have been warned by the Congress of Trade Unions that nothing less than a 15% increase in salaries would be acceptable.