UDP Administration to blame for BDF Salary Issue says PM

Another issue was the recent adjustments to the salaries of soldiers of the Belize Defence Force.  Prime Minister John Briceno rose to speak on this issue after the Leader of the Opposition queried the matter.  The Prime Minister explained that the entire system was disrupted under the previous administration when increases were given without adhering to the proper procedures.

Hon. John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “In 2019 again under the UDP government the government agreed to regularize the rate of annual increment of enlisted soldiers. Remember the date, 2019, we had a UDP government. They also agreed to extend the salary scale for officers. When the Ministry of Finance sent out the circular on this matter they stated that this revision was not a salary increase nor was it intended to be a salary increase. 2019 mind you. Who was in government ? UDP right ? What it was then it was a salary adjustment and a standardization exercise. The MEMO from finance went even further to state that any increase in the rates of pay arising from this exercise was a part of the regularization exercise. Now in implementing this a mistake was made and some officers at the rank of private were placed way up on the pay scale. They were supposed to be placed at the beginning of the pay scale but instead were moved several place sup the payscale. When the Ministry of Finance realized the error informed those affected by it and adjusted the payscales. No increments were withheld from any member of the BDF. You could have come talk to me and I would have explained it to you and you never had to come and grandstand in the National Assembly. So here lies the problem. Here lies the problem is that we have a Leader of the Opposition he doesn’t even know how to frame a question much less to ask a question ith substance. Now there is nothing wrong with asking for help my brother. Nothing wrong.”