On September 16, 2026, Belize’s Cabinet issued an official response to 11 policy and governance demands tabled by the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB), rejecting several key proposals while laying out structured timelines for ongoing negotiations and incremental policy progress on other union priorities.
Among the most high-profile demands put forward by the NTUCB was the removal of Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) Chairman Markhelm Lizarraga and all government-appointed BTL board members. Cabinet officials have flatly turned down this request, noting that there is no legal grounding under Belize’s existing company law to justify the dismissals. The government further pushed back on the union’s rationale, pointing out that BTL posted record-breaking profits in its most recent financial cycle, and the termination of the proposed Speednet acquisition does not constitute a reasonable or legal cause to remove the board.
Two other BTL-related proposals from the union were also rejected: the creation of a new tripartite governance structure for the telecommunications provider, and a full restructuring of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). Cabinet explained that union representation on BTL’s oversight is already secured through a seat on the Belize Social Security Board, while the PUC’s status as an independent autonomous body means restructuring is not justified under current governance frameworks.
On the NTUCB’s request for a dedicated liaison embedded within the Office of the Prime Minister, Cabinet offered a compromise: it welcomed deeper collaboration with the Joint Unions Negotiating Team (JUNT) and has proposed holding formal quarterly consultation meetings with NTUCB leadership moving forward.
Cabinet confirmed measurable progress on several reform priorities the union has pushed for. The final draft of the long-awaited Protected Disclosures Bill has already been circulated to both the NTUCB and the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry for stakeholder review, with a formal consultation meeting scheduled for October 22. Work on new campaign finance legislation is also underway: drafting is complete enough that the bill is on track to be submitted to Cabinet for official review by December 8, 2026.
Additionally, the government is moving forward with establishing the Civil Recovery Authority Unit (CARU) within the Financial Intelligence Unit, a body mandated under the 2023 Civil Asset Recovery and Unexplained Wealth Act to target illicitly obtained assets. Progress is also being made on filling the long-vacant Ombudsman post: the Ombudsman Reports Committee is expected to submit candidate nominations soon, before a final appointment resolution is introduced to the Senate for approval.
One demand that was firmly rejected was the NTUCB’s call to withdraw the 2026 Revenue Authority Bill. Cabinet reaffirmed the government’s commitment to launching a semi-autonomous national revenue authority, but noted that officials will continue working closely with the Public Service Union and Tax Department staff to address workforce concerns during the transition period.
On educator-specific demands raised through the NTUCB, Cabinet has agreed to hold further negotiations around two key issues: additional pay for teacher duties required in August, and a proposed new classroom resource allowance. For the University of Belize, the government highlighted a steady increase in annual public subvention, which has grown from $7.6 million in 2020 to $10 million in 2026. It has also made a formal commitment to raise the subvention by $1 million annually starting in 2027, until the annual allocation reaches $15 million. The government added that the new Financial Assistance Program Policy, launched in June 2026, has already created a standardized, transparent process for grants, scholarships, and stipends, addressing longstanding calls for reform from the University of Belize Faculty and Staff Union (UBFSU).
In closing, Cabinet acknowledged that it could not accommodate every demand put forward by the NTUCB, but emphasized that the government remains fully committed to open consultation and continued productive engagement with the union confederation on shared priorities for Belize.