http://www.7newsbelize.com/images/.jpg But one man who is making a whole lot more than $5 an hour is the Government Press Office's newest employee, Geovannie Brackett.
We've told you that Brackett was contracted as an "information" consultant - whatever that means - and his paycheck is upwards of $42,000 a year.
Many Belizeans felt that this was another form of political corruption; a ghost worker getting a "come up" from the public purse.
Today we questioned the prime minister about the decision to hire Brackett, and he finally told us what exactly an information consultant does - but even he seemed a little unsure.
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"When it comes to the issue of Geovannie Brackett, we all know that he has been journalist and he has been also, I'm trying to find the right word, a person trying to go for social change, especially with young people and he has been very open about that. After we got into government, he came in and we spoke with him and we believe that he can assist us in the press office to kind of change the mindset of the press office, how is it that we can operate in a modern day of almost instant news, so he has been doing some work there but also he has been doing some work with Minister Dolores Balderamos and also with Minister Musa doing some social intervention so we believe that it was the right decision to be able to bring him in to be able to help with the work we have in government."
Reporter:
"Was hiring Geovannie Brackett needed?"
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"I believe that it was, that is why we hired him."
Reporter:
"At press office?"
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"As I said, I believe it was."
Reporter:
"Press office has Mike Rudon, the director."
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Yes, he has Mike Rudon, but we also felt that Geovannie brings a different skillset to be able to help us at the press office."
Tamaine Ottley:
"What exactly is an information consultant and what does the job require?"
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Well, the information consultant, I imagine the people that did that wanted to come with something that would be able to capture what we want him to do, and basically it's to be able to change the mindset that information come in different ways, it comes in paper, it come digitally, it comes from the internet and we were hoping that he could be able to help the press office to move in that direction that media or the government press office is not just taking out videos when a minister is out there visiting and area or a press release but that it is a lot of instant news that we have to be dealing with."
Reporter:
"Do you think the amount he is being paid is fair and worth it?"
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
[Pause] "Yes."
