BELIZE CITY, Mon. Nov. 7, 2016–Cabinet Secretary Carlos Perdomo indicated to Amandala today that the Government is still looking at the case of Former Immigration CEO, Candelaria Saldivar, 47, sister of Defence Minister Hon. John Saldivar, who was placed on administrative leave last May, making this month a year and a half since she was put on paid leave with all her perks.

It was reported that a high-ranking government official had reportedly complained about Saldivar’s “management style,” and her then boss, Immigration Minister Godwin Hulse, had said that Saldivar was moved to preserve harmony.

At the August sitting of the House of Representatives, Prime Minister Dean Barrow confirmed to Opposition Leader Johnny Briceño that Saldivar continues on paid administrative leave with full benefits—which Briceño said includes her full CEO salary of $60,000 a year, plus allowances and benefits, including vehicle, entertainment and housing allowances.

Barrow told Parliament that “…we have not yet been able to find an office to re-assign her.”

That exchange happened in August, and today, Perdomo said that the Government is looking at options for deciding what will be done with respect to Saldivar, an established public officer who remains unassigned. We tried to probe for some specifics, but the Cabinet Secretary replied that he cannot discuss those until a decision is made. We asked when a decision would be made. His reply was: “Soon…”

Barrow had told Parliament that, “We have to make sure that she doesn’t lose any benefits by way of her re-assignment. She is, therefore, still on administrative leave with her full benefits. It is long outstanding; we hope to sort it out very shortly.”

“If there simply is not another public service position that is on the same level that she is prepared to accept, we will discuss with her retirement in the interest of the [public] service,” Barrow said.

He told Parliament that in the normal course, Saldivar would not exit the public service until she reaches retirement age. The normal retirement age in the public service is 55.