Imagine putting your life on the line for your country only to find out years later that you weren’t being paid what you were owed. That’s exactly what happened to many enlisted soldiers in the Belize Defense Force. Back in 2019, a salary error came to light, and while the government promised to fix it, the solution sparked even more confusion. Some soldiers feared they’d actually be taking home less money. We’re unpacking the truth behind those salary adjustments and what the defense minister revealed today that could clear the air.
Oscar Mira, Minister of Defense & Border Security
“I don’t think there was a backlash. It’s about information and that’s what I have done from the very beginning. I have been making sure that I meet with the BDF, that I meet with Coast Guard. It is not a pay cut. If it was a pay cut, it means it would’ve affected a hundred percent of the BDF, but it didn’t. It affected some. So it means that there was an error in 2019 and we needed to correct it. And it has taken so long to correct and I’m pleased to say that we have now corrected it. And not only that, but I was able to lobby cabinet to ensure that we got two allowances to all of the BDF and not only the allowances, but also, access to the commissary, which has given the BDF for morale boost.”
Reporter
“How many soldiers were affected?”
Oscar Mira
“I believe it’s about eighty percent of the soldiers that were affected. It was mostly the non-commission officers, so the commission officers, which are lieutenants and all the way up to general, those were not affected. So they were receiving their correct pay. It was the other ranks, mostly privates and capitals who were receiving a salary that was not correct and we had to correct it. And I have been informing them. I have been at the BDF Price Barrack’s making sure that they understand what we’re doing and it’s not just, when they look at their bank account that something is not the same as before. So they understand and we’re doing everything possible to ensure that we keep the morale up and that we are giving back to them in so many other forms.”