Contractor-General Amendment Mirrors Proposed Changes to Ombudsman Act

As former Ombudsman Major Gilbert Swaso pursues a constitutional challenge against the Government of Belize that includes allegations relating to compensation during his tenure, Parliament is also considering legislation that would alter the remuneration provisions governing another key oversight office: the Contractor-General.

The proposed Contractor-General (Amendment) Act, 2026--tabled virtually simultaneously with the Ombudsman amendment--would repeal and replace Section 10(1) of the Contractor-General Act, removing language that currently guarantees the officeholder emoluments not less than those payable to a judge of the Supreme Court.

Under the existing law, the Contractor-General "shall receive such emoluments ... such emoluments being not less than the emoluments which may, from time to time, be payable to a judge of the Supreme Court."

The amendment, which as drafted would come into force on June 1st, 2026, would remove that benchmark and instead provide that the Contractor-General shall receive such emoluments and terms of service as may be prescribed by law or by resolution of the National Assembly.

A similar amendment was tabled around the same time in relation to the Ombudsman Act and was reported on publicly when it was introduced. Prior to that proposed amendment, Section 8(1) of the Ombudsman Act likewise provided that the Ombudsman should receive emoluments not less than those payable to a Supreme Court judge.of service as may be prescribed by law or by resolution of the National Assembly.

A similar amendment was tabled around the same time in relation to the Ombudsman Act and was reported on publicly when it was introduced. Prior to that proposed amendment, Section 8(1) of the Ombudsman Act likewise provided that the Ombudsman should receive emoluments not less than those payable to a Supreme Court judge.

Both the Ombudsman and Contractor-General occupy offices that perform oversight functions over public administration. The Constitution specifically references both offices in Section 61A, where the Senate is granted powers relating to their appointment and oversight functions.

Governance experts and anti-corruption advocates have long argued that institutional independence rests on several pillars, including security of tenure, financial independence and operational authority. International standards reflected in instruments such as the United Nations Convention against Corruption emphasize the importance of ensuring that oversight bodies possess adequate resources and sufficient independence to perform their functions effectively.

Supporters of the amendments may argue that Parliament retains the authority to determine com-pensation levels and that the legislation clarifies how remuneration is established. Others may question whether removing statutory links to judicial salaries could weaken safeguards designed to protect oversight offices from political influence.

Both the Ombudsman and Contractor-General occupy offices that perform oversight functions over public administration. The Constitution specifically references both offices in Section 61A, where the Senate is granted powers relating to their appointment and oversight functions.

Governance experts and anti-corruption advocates have long argued that institutional independence rests on several pillars, including security of tenure, financial independence and operational authority. International standards reflected in instruments such as the United Nations Convention against Corruption emphasize the importance of ensuring that oversight bodies possess adequate resources and sufficient independence to perform their functions effectively.

Supporters of the amendments may argue that Parliament retains the authority to determine com-pensation levels and that the legislation clarifies how remuneration is established. Others may question whether removing statutory links to judicial salaries could weaken safeguards designed to protect oversight offices from political influence.