Proposals for Public Officers & Teachers! Ministers and C.E.O.s Take Cuts!
John Briceño
And now moving forward, Briceño says that they are prepared to commit to a number of measures that will directly benefit public officers and teachers, as well as some actions that the joint unions have been agitating for – like fifteen percent reduction in ministers’ salaries and allowances. Briceño committed to an annual performance bonus for the end of the current and next two fiscal years, with some conditions. Added to that, Briceño also shared that G.O.B. will ensure that increments remain applicable to pension payments which will be computed on the basis of emoluments that would have been applicable if the increment freeze had not been implemented. Here are some of those commitments as outlined by PM Briceño.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“National Health Insurance for Public Officers – by no later than fiscal year 2023/2024, Government will establish a contributory health insurance scheme for public officers that covers medical, dental and vision care along with an ancillary death benefit. Government will contribute eighty percent of the insurance premiums while participating public officers will contribute twenty percent. Cash Flow Relief on Loan Payments – The Central Bank of Belize has issued guidance to the banks and credit unions to extend the forbearance period on residential mortgages including those held by affected public officers and teachers to the end of this year. Continued efforts will be made to urge leniency by banks and credit unions on residential mortgages including waiver of penalty fees whether on refinancing, transfer of loans or otherwise. Waiver of Stamp Duty on Assignment of Residential Mortgages — Cabinet has approved and a draft bill is being prepared to be tabled to the National Assembly for enactment of the waiver of stamp duties on the assignment of residential mortgages held by public officers and teachers. Special Facilities at D.F.C. and National Bank of Belize — Government will ensure that the Development Finance Corporation and the National Bank of Belize makes available special facilities of in or about three million dollars to five million dollars per institution for public officers and teachers for residential mortgages at preferred rates. Reduction of ministers’ salaries – ministers, ministers of state and area representatives will be subject to an increased total salary reduction of fifteen percent. Ministers, Ministers of State and C.E.O.s will also surrender fifty percent of entertainment and telephone allowances. It is understood that heads of department will continue to surrender their allowances as already agreed in fiscal year 2020/2021.”
According to Briceño, his government is also seeking to implement a recovery system through an integrated Tax Recovery Unit under the Belize Tax Services Department for outstanding tax arrears including business tax, G.S.T., land and income tax. News Five looks forward to the opportunity to ask the Prime Minister additional questions about these proposals when, and if, a press conference is scheduled about the talks with the unions currently on strike.
