Faber Supports Teachers Position; No to Salary Cuts

Patrick Faber

Opposition Leader Patrick Faber has come out in support of teachers and public officers in light of the proposed ten percent salary cut.  For years, the former Minister of Education has had a contentious relationship with the unions, but now that the shoe is on the other foot he is once again in their corner.  This morning, Faber strongly criticized the Briceño administration for recommending a wage reduction when it continues to purchase vehicles and rent lofty office spaces amid the economic crisis. While the People’s United Party places blame for the sharp economic downturn squarely at the feet of the previous government; Faber says that reckless spending will not ameliorate the country’s financial crunch.

Patrick Faber, Leader of the Opposition

“We are very clear on the position that we do not support the government in the proposed ten percent salary cut or the increment freezes for the next three years is what is being proposed.  You know, the fact of the matter is that there is so much else going in and the government is saying it can’t afford it and there is no dispute that we are in tough times.  There is dispute about why we are here and they keep on blaming of course the UDP administration, completely forgetting in fact that they saddled the government with the super bond that’s still there but that’s another matter.  The fact of the matter is that even in the plight that we are in now, the PUP government continues to be very reckless, continue to just nonchalantly go about pleasing itself and its party supporters.  We’ve seen how many new vehicles, we’ve seen the issue with the Ministry of Health vehicles and the way in which they operate.  We’ve seen the prime minister rent two new office spaces when there’s a perfectly good office space in Belmopan and cabinet room in Belmopan.  So they are very reckless and our position is now, as it always has been that we should try our very best to keep this large block of employees working so that they can contribute back to the economy.”