By Belize Live News Staff: A Belize Defense Force (BDF) soldier has taken the unusual step of writing an open letter to the Prime Minister, requesting a salary increase to help support his family. The soldier, who has served Belize for ten years, expressed frustration over low wages and stagnant pay, sharing his recent pay slip to highlight his financial struggles. According to the pay slip, he receives around $786 every two weeks, totaling approximately $1,572 per month.
In his letter, the soldier explained that his salary makes it difficult to provide for his family, stating, “My pay is very small and Christmas is soon coming – I can’t even buy my kids a bike because the salary isn’t much.” He expressed concern that many BDF soldiers face similar financial hardships, with some forced to take on additional jobs to make ends meet, while others turn to lending institutions for support.
The soldier’s letter also questioned why police officers seem to be better compensated, suggesting that lower pay within the BDF may impact morale among soldiers. He concluded by saying that support from higher-ranking officials is limited, leaving many soldiers feeling underappreciated.
