AG Meets With Legal Officers Over Outstanding Salary Adjustment

Attorney General Anthony Sylvestre and Minister of the Public Service Henry Charles Usher convened a meeting this evening with Crown Counsels from the AG’s Ministry, legal aids, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, Magistrates and several other legal officers within the public service. The meeting was called to discuss an outstanding salary adjustment for these public officers that the Government of Belize committed to back in September after several Crown Counsels staged a week-long sick out. Four months have passed and the adjustment is yet to be reflected in their salaries, even though the Government of Belize earmarked one point five million dollars in December to that end. So, what has been the hold up? We asked AG Sylvestre when we caught up with him outside the Belize City Civic Center this evening.

Anthony Sylvestre

Anthony Sylvestre, Attorney General

“Just by way of background for our viewers, this is an issue that goes back starting about 2013 where officers, legal officers, Crown Counsel, Magistrates, those who had entered the service, there was a memorandum in 2012 which would have made certain adjustments, upgrade to the salary. But certain anomalies, discrepancies would were flowed from that. While there was a noble intent it caused some anomalies. So, since that time government has been trying to address the situation. This government has finally addressed it. There was the supplementary appropriation bill that was passed last December which one point five million was appropriated and set aside to take account with respect to these salaries. So, essentially the matter is a done deal and it is simply formalities. The commission which sets the terms and conditions of the judicial and legal officer, they are to meet and sign off on what government has committed and has actually given effect to its commitment. So as far as we see it there is no issue.”

Paul Lopez

“Did those in the meeting today get a clear answer as to when that one point five million will be disbursed?”

Anthony Sylvestre

“They are lawyers and so they understand when words are spoken and what words mean, just as I communicated just now, that was communicated. Everybody is on the same page.”