Minister Perez Comments on Salary Reinstatement

Andre Perez

The reinstatement of the full salary for public servants and teachers comes as good news. Across the country, these workers have worked through the current fiscal year on a ten percent pay cut.  On Monday, Prime Minister John Briceño announced that the ten percent will be reinstated in the upcoming fiscal year. We asked Andre Perez, Minister of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation about this new development.

Andre Perez, Minister of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation

“As it relates to my Ministry, certainly it is much cause for receiving it with celebration, and looking at our team, especially in the Ministry of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation. These two departments, I have great respect for the work they are doing every day. I acknowledge them for the sacrifice they took. So I know that is welcome news for them. I think this is also a reflection of the commitment we have as a government. Although we had to take that hard decision, especially us in government, making this near impossible decision puts on in a position where we lost popularity, political capital is lost. But, we have to be realistic. It has to be that we are showing the people of Belize that we have commitment to make, decisions that are realistic. Looking at the bigger picture, we are not out of the woods as yet, but we are seeing and crunching the figures as we had an intense gathering of Cabinet over the two days. We were met with consternation and condemnation from some people, but I believe with all minds put together we were able to look at those figures and see where we could give back to those people working as public servants and making a difference in the community.”