We turn now to the Senate debate on the Public Sector Emoluments and Allowances Reduction (Amendment) Bill of 2022.
It's part of the formal procedure from the Government to return the 10% in wages for teachers and public officers, which were cut last year as part of their austerity budget. Here's what the Senate had to say on that topic:
Eamon Courtenay - Leader of Government Business
"Madam President, I rise to move the second reading of a bill for an act to amend the Public Sector Employment and Allowances Reduction Act, #14 of 2021, to reinstate the 10% salary withheld on account of a salary reduction imposed on certain persons appointed to hold a public office and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. Madam President, as you are aware, the government had to - We were forced to cut public sector salaries and wages by 10%, including benefits. The law at the time passed provided for a three-year period for the sacrifice to be felt by the Belizean people. Fortunately, we are here one year later and are able to give back the benefits that were taken away under the Public Sector Employment and Allowances Reduction Act. Madam President, it is for me, as I have said before, and this Honorable Senate, to pay tribute and to thank the public officers who primarily for the burden of this sacrifice, as well as their families, who also bore a burden and suffered as a result of this. It was necessary. Happily, one year later, we are able to give back the salary."
Jacklyn Burns - UDP Senator
"On behalf of our public servants and our teachers, myself being a teacher, I fully support the reinstatement of the 10%. I can tell you from personal experience, from the experience of colleagues, and from listening to public servants that have been tough. We know the reality that we have been going through. We know where fuel costs are. And the purchasing power of even our public servants, our teachers, and our professionals in the workspaces has been severely tight."
