Government to Settle Outstanding Increments for Public Officers, Ombudsman Confirms

Ombudsman Retired Major Gilbert Suazo has confirmed that the government is working on paying out monies owed to current and retired public officers.  Suazo made an appearance on The Morning Show today commemorating World Ombuds Day which we will tell you about later in this newscast.  For now, we can tell you that several of the complaints that the Ombudsman has been processing in recent months surround the public officers and their outstanding increments.  Ombudsman Suazo noted that via a recent follow up on the complaints, dozens have already received their monies.

Herman Gilbert Swazo, Ombudsman: “Ombudsman report prior to mine we saw that there were about 90 to 95 complaints that were lodged in the previous report prior to ours. We saw as I had explained last year that we 190 complaints were lodged and that was reported in the last annual report that we just recently distributed and lodged at the National Assembly. So that is indicating that there is increased awareness not to the level as we believe it should be at this time. Several issues as it relates to pensions and gratuity. Where people who are not getting pensions in time.”

Ernesto Vasquez, Host, The Morning Show: I was going to ask you about that because that’s the big news right now.

Herman Gilbert Swazo, Ombudsman: “It still persists but we are seeing because the people who are complaining is just a small amount of people compared to those who still have not been served or issued their pensions and gratuity but we have seen because we remain in constant communication with the Accountant General and we know for a fact that certainly several advances have been made and several people have received so there’s a process to expedite this specific issue. Further more I can also state that the Ministry of the Public Service had also sent out a circular to all the ministries informing them of those I think 25 or more procedures that have to be done prior to the retirement of a public officer. And it starts or it should start one year prior to the retirement age so giving well assuming that it gives sufficient time for that person to be able to get their benefit on their birthday the day of retirement from the public service.” 

With more and more people putting trust in the Office of the Ombudsman, Suazo noted that they are seeing a gradual increase in cases.  He did indicate, however, that a shortage of human resources could pose a problem.

Herman Gilbert Swazo, Ombudsman: “I believe it’s seven people that we have but it must be noted that we only have one investigator at this time, one records and research officer, a legal officer and the Ombudsman and then we have a secretary and a driver/security. Each of us have to be multitasking.”

Anne Marie, Guest Host, The Morning Show: What particular job position you need more of ? Research ? 

Herman Gilbert Swazo, Ombudsman: “I think we need more investigators. Certainly we need more investigators and I believe that we need a sort of communications officer as well so that we can continue to have people aware of the roles and responsibilities keep the word out and we also need to have that same individual to sort of give feedback on a general basis of the complaints that we are getting so that people become more aware.”

At the next house meeting slated for Friday, October 18, the 21^st annual report from the Ombudsman is expected to be presented for the period, January to December 2023.