The Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) has confirmed the passing of Brother George Frazer, a foundational pillar of their organization and a towering figure in the nation’s labor movement. Celebrated for his formidable advocacy, Frazer earned the moniker ‘The Lion’ through decades of relentless campaigning for workers’ rights.
Frazer’s nearly 30-year tenure with the BNTU, concluding with his retirement from active leadership in 2012, was characterized by strategic strikes, protests, and negotiation campaigns that fundamentally transformed Belize’s labor environment. His philosophy was deeply rooted in principles of equality and justice, famously encapsulated in his 2012 statement to News 5: ‘God love all ah wi and wi must treat each other di way we want dehn treat wi.’
His activism extended beyond the teaching community to embrace the struggles of municipal workers, farmers, and other marginalized labor groups. A significant moment in his career came in 2008 when he and the BNTU levied criticism against the Ministry of Education for allegedly transferring teachers for political motives, arguing such actions compromised educational standards and procedural integrity.
Frazer’s contributions were recognized at the highest levels. In 2008, he received the Meritorious Service Award for his profound impact on education and labor. His influence also reached international arenas, having represented Belize in labor and educational dialogues across over thirty countries. A 2011 tribute by the Collet Division, which named a street in his honor, was briefly marred by vandalism but stood as a testament to his local esteem.
The BNTU’s announcement emphasized that Frazer’s legacy is not confined to past achievements but will persist through the enduring principles he championed and the multitude of lives he influenced. The union expressed profound condolences to his family and friends, concluding with a call to honor his memory by persevering in the pursuit of the righteous causes he so fervently advanced.