BNTU Keeps Tuesday Protest on Table Despite Cabinet Rejection of BTL–Smart Deal

Cabinet may have rejected BTL’s proposed acquisition of Smart, but the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) says its planned demonstration for Tuesday remains on the table until BTL’s Board of Directors formally rescinds its approval of the transaction.  BNTU President Nadia Caliz says Cabinet’s announcement should not be treated as the final step, since the Government-appointed representatives on BTL’s Board reportedly voted in favour of the acquisition. According to Caliz, those votes must now be formally reversed to provide certainty that the proposal cannot be revived.  Caliz says the union will continue preparing for Tuesday’s demonstration, even if the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) ultimately decides to withdraw from the action. The NTUCB General Council is scheduled to meet tomorrow, while the BNTU Council will meet on Sunday to make its final decisions.  The BNTU held a virtual meeting last night with 261 members to discuss the proposed BTL–Smart acquisition and the wider labour response. The meeting, chaired by Caliz, included presentations from union representatives, members of the Senate and the BNTU leadership.  Caliz urged Belizeans to remain actively engaged and not assume that Cabinet’s statement alone has conclusively ended the matter. She says the movement must also focus on broader systemic and constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening accountability and public participation.  The BNTU president explained that the union follows a bottom-up decision-making process and is continuing consultations with its membership. However, she maintained that unless the BTL Board formally rescinds its vote, the teachers’ union intends to proceed with Tuesday’s demonstration.