Still No Chairman for Public Services Commission

The Public Service Union has come out strongly against the Office of the Prime Minister for failing to appoint a new chairman, as well as members of the Public Services Commission.  In a statement issued by the labor organization, its offices have been flooded with phone calls from retired public officers who have exhausted their salary advance considerations from the Treasury Department and are unable to receive their retirement benefits from the Government of Belize, as well as public officers who are waiting to be appointed or confirmed, and those who have pending disciplinary matters before the commission.  The release from the P.S.U. continues to criticize Prime Minister John Briceño for the inordinate delay replacing previous commissioners since June.  The effect of the suspension is that retirees are unable to meet mortgage payments and other financial commitments.  The trade union goes on to recommend Alfredo Cruz as chairman of the Public Services Commission to focus primarily on matters pertaining to retirement benefits.