Controversial proviso to MPs pay order revoked

Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh has presented an Order to revoke a controversial proviso that would have blocked salary increases for parliamentarians who did not give their written consent to them.

Singh presented the Ministers, Members of the National Assembly and Special Offices (Emoluments) (Amendment) Order 2007 after protests by members of the opposition. An order to increase the salary of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) was also presented.

The Ministers, Members of the National Assembly and Special Offices (Emoluments) Order 2006 that was presented in December allowed for pay increases for up to 100% for government ministers and MPs.

There was also an amendment to the Order, providing for increases to be payable only to those office holders who signified their agreement with the increase in writing, not later than December 27. Where an office holder did not comply with the requirement an increase would not be given.

The original Order was criticised by Opposition Leader Robert Corbin, and the PNCR denounced it as a despicable attempt by the PPP/C administration to silence members who might hold a different view about the increases to be paid. The party also said MPs should be free to express their opinions about any proposed increases in their remuneration in an atmosphere free from threats. It added that they should be free to determine how they will deal with any remuneration eventually paid, including donating any sum to a charity of their choice.

In a letter to President Bharrat Jagdeo, dated December 21, Corbin also expressed concern about the size of the increases in light of the overall economic situation of the country. “The proposed increase for MPs, which is in excess of 100%, is unconscionable having regard to the paltry 5% recently paid to public servants,” Corbin said in his letter.

Instead, he was in favour of any saving in this regard being put towards a scheme for payment of salaries to RDC councillors. He said priority should be given to the payment of a reasonable stipend to members of the RDC, which should have a fair relationship to emoluments enjoyed by MPs. Corbin also said any salary increase for MPs should be part of a general scheme for regularizing the emoluments paid to elected officials, acknowledging the important role they play in the political governance institutions, like the Executive, the National Assembly and the local democratic organs.

On Thursday Local Government Minister Kellawan Lall presented the Local Democratic Organs (Emoluments of Office-Holders) (Amendment) Order 2007 to amend the previous Order of 1989.

The amendment Order provides for the Chairman of a RDC to be paid each month, retroactive from October 2006, the same salary as paid to the Regional Executive Officer. Additionally, it also provides for the Vice-Chairman to be paid a salary of 75% of the Chairman’s salary.