BELIZE CITY, Thurs. July 22, 2021– Today, the president of the Public Service Union (PSU), Dean Flowers, informed Amandala that the union has written to the Governor General, H.E. Froyla Tzalam, and asked her to defer a recently legislated increase to her salary until 2024.

The letter, dated July 15, states, “As the nation’s Head of State, we implore upon you to show solidarity with the workers of this country by deferring the increase of your salary and allowances for the next three years.”

In the letter, the union reminds the GG that they are still in a trade dispute with the government of Belize over the recent 10% salary reduction that has been imposed on most public workers, so they feel that their request is a fair one.

The Governor General Conditions of Service Amendment Bill 2021 was pushed through all its phases by the Briceño administration and effected an increase of almost 50% in the GG’s salary, the PSU has said.

On the other hand, the Public Sector Emolument and Allowances Reduction Bill 2021, which was signed into law in the previous month, cut the salaries of nearly 15,000 public servants.

Dean Flowers, when interviewed by Amandala, said that the GG’s decision in this regard will be judged by history.

The letter to the Governor General states, “The Union remains in a trade dispute with the Government of Belize over the salary reduction effected on Public Officers, and we believe that our request to you is a fair one. It affords you the opportunity to demonstrate concern over the welfare of public officers and citizens of Belize as well as value the sacrifice of Public Officers by joining in the foregoing of salaries in the best interest of the Country.”

As previously reported, the GG’s salary was previously set at $52,848 and was increased to $75,000. Her allowances were increased from $2,400 to $12,000.

Prime Minister John Briceño told the lower House at the time of the reading of the Bill that the remunerations for the office of Governor-General have not been revised since 1989.