And when it comes to sacrifice, the unions will surely ask Cabinet to sacrifice at least a portion of their monthly allowances.
Today we asked the Prime Minister about his package of allowances - which he wasn't too clear on:
Jules Vasquez
"One of the issues that keeps coming up is that the ministers their allowances have not been cut. Yes, they have gotten a 10% pay cut but their allowances remain intact. Your allowance for example is 4,866 dollars a month, your cumulative allowances, that's almost 60 thousand dollars a year. Are you all prepared?"
Hon. John Briceno - Prime Minister
"I don't think that's correct. I'm not going to argue with you."
Jules Vasquez
"916 for expense allowance, 1600 for housing and entertainment, 1000 for telephone, 1350 for transportation."
Hon. John Briceno
"Well the 1350 you can't count that because remember I do not have a government vehicle, I'm using my own vehicle but we don't have the money, so I am using my personal vehicle and so I think you should count that in, you're not being fair but as to the other ones Jules, if it requires for us to be able to cut that, I have absolutely no problem to cut it."
Jules Vasquez
"While you are indeed using your own vehicle, isn't it a fact also sir your office has bought a Toyota Hilux from Emil Torres for 65 thousand dollars for your security accompaniment?"
Hon. John Briceno
"I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about."
Jules Vasquez
"How does your security accompany you?"
Hon. John Briceno
"Well they have a vehicle."
Jules Vasquez
"It's a Toyota Hilux."
Hon. John Briceno
"Yeah."
Jules Vasquez
"So, as I understand it, that was purchased to accompany you."
Hon. John Briceno
"Well you know more than I do so congratulations and thank you for letting me know that. I can't put the police in my vehicle because simply one because of COVID but secondly my executive assistant she also travels with me, Graci and sometimes I have other people travelling with me so I would not have the space to put them, that is why we have another vehicle but as I tell you, I don't use them on the weekends, when I'm Orange Walk on Thursdays and Tuesdays I don't use them. So, the only time I use them is when I leave out of Orange Walk."
Jules Vasquez
"Sir I've heard you say, and I just want to underscore it, that you're willing to sacrifice those allowances."
Hon. John Briceno
"Of course."
Jules Vasquez
"Your ministers? I know they may not feel the same."
Hon. John Briceno
"Nobody wants to do that Jules but if that is what is required Jules, then I will have to sit down and tell our guys we have to take another cut."
