The Public Service Union is calling out the Office of the Prime Minister for its failure to appoint a chairman and members to the Public Services Commission in a timely manner.
In a press release, the PSU says that it has been inundated with calls from public officers who are waiting to be appointed or confirmed, who have pending disciplinary matters before the Commission, and especially those retired officers who have exhausted their salary advance considerations with the Treasury Department and are now without an income and cannot receive their retirement benefits from the government.
According to the release, quote, "The failure and delay by the Prime Minister to timely replace the expired Commissioners since June of 2022, points to the Government's desire to continue with the politicization of the Public Service Commission. This is contrary to the Plan Belize manifesto which promised to deliver an "effective and efficient Public Service" by restoring the autonomy and independence of the Public Service Commission. The Prime Minister's failure to comprehend and appreciate the importance of the PSC is causing many retirees to become anxious and desperate as a result of their inability to meet mortgage payments and other financial commitments, including providing for their families and meeting the educational expenses of their children." End quote.
The PSU then says that if the government cannot identify persons of integrity to appoint to the commission, that they are recommending Alfredo Cruz as chairman to deal particularly with matters pertaining to retirement benefits. They added that the long outstanding gratuities due to the retirees should be paid with interest.
