BELIZE LABOR UNION PROTEST FIZZLES

UNCLAS BELMOPAN 000184 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CEN//JASON MACK DOL FOR ILAB/OFR BRIDGETOWN FOR LABATT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ELAB PREL PGOV ECON ASEC BH SUBJECT: BELIZE LABOR UNION PROTEST FIZZLES ¶1. Labor unionists staged a protest on March 16 in front of the National Assembly building while parliament was in session debating the government's FY 2007/2008 budget. ¶2. The National Trade Union Congress (NTUC) organized the demonstration in opposition to the budget and to protest the Ministry of Education's treatment of teachers. The NTUC is an umbrella organization representing all labor unions in Belize. The NTUC has approximately 15,000 members drawn from ten local labor unions. The demonstration consisted of approximately 500 peaceful protesters ¶3. The president of the NTUC was disappointed with the demonstration and stated that labor leadership would meet on March 17 to reassess strategy. The opposition party did not participate in the protest which may have played a role in the small turnout. DIETER