And while the COMPOL keeps a closer eye on MESOP, the PM addressed the entire nation two hours ago.
On the week that the pay cuts go into effect, he spoke on the good governance and the compensatory measures that the government is committed to taking to ease some of the strain and the pain that is sure to be caused by the 10% salary cut.
Here's an excerpt from his presentation where he speaks specifically to what he calls "the rationalization of the public service."
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"The ongoing rationalization of public service exercise. Numerous measures were proposed to public officers and teachers directly affected by the salary adjustment and increment freeze."
"Some of these that have not been accepted by the Unions include as follows:
a) Reduction of the workweek by 5 hours or more than ten percent of the workweek.
b) The issuance of a land credit in favor of affected public officers and teachers equivalent to 50 percent of the salary adjustment, which credit may be exercisable on the acquisition of government land by the holder of the land credit. For affected public officers who already own land, the credit could have been used in the settlement of outstanding land taxes owing by the affected public officer. The land credit though not assignable would have been applicable in favor of immediate family members, namely, spouses and children of the affected public officer.
Let me say again, Government remains committed to easing the adverse effects of the salary adjustment and increment freeze on affected public officers and teachers.
We are prepared to undertake the following:
a) Performance Bonus Option
b) National Health Insurance for Public Officers
c) Discounted data packages for teachers
d) Cash flow relief on loan payments
e) Waiver of Stamp Duty on Assignment of Residential Mortgages
f) Special Facilities at DFC and National Bank of Belize
g) Reduction of Ministers' Salaries and allowances and
h) Increments Remain Applicable to Pension Payments
Performance Bonus - Government shall pay in the form of an annual bonus, after the close of each of the current and next 2 fiscal years.
