Kamla slams Govt over salary hikes

SIPARIA MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar has accused the Government of turning Parliament into “ole mas” and making a “jump and grab for salaries” to get the 18th report of the Salaries Review Commission (SRC) passed on Carnival Friday. She served notice that the United National Congress (UNC) was considering filing judicial review against the SRC on the basis that it acted irrationally and with “procedural impropriety.” Persad-Bissessar said she did not have a problem with the increases for judges, legal fraternity and other office holders. However, she said the motion should be amended to read that the House adopted the report of the SRC in every regard, save and except as it pertained to the political arm of the State — the Members of Parliament, and Local Government representatives. 

When she began her contribution in the House of Representatives, Persad-Bissessar said the Government was moving with  “indecent haste” to ensure that their salary increases go through without the public’s knowledge. She said the report is dated February 10 and was laid on February 17. Persad-Bissessar said the Local Government report took seven months before it reached the House for debate. She referred to the loud music coming  from the parade of Carnival characters as they passed the Red House, saying it was “strange” that permission was given for the loud music to be coming from outside the Parliament chamber.

Sinanan countered that this pointed to the need for a new Parliament building. Although the SRC report stated that written submissions were invited on the review of salaries, Persad-Bissessar said she and other UNC members were not consulted. She said no consultation took place with back benchers or Local Government representatives. “The SRC is in breach of a fundamental rule of procedure,” Persad-Bissessar said. Ken Valley, Minister of Trade and Industry, moved to contradict Persad-Bissessar, saying the Clerk of the House sent a circular to all Members of Parliament asking for written submissions. Valley said he would provide a copy of the document. Persad-Bissessar maintained that, as a MP, she was not consulted and asked to see the letter.

Persad-Bissessar said the members of the SRC were appointed by the President in consultation with the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition. She said the SRC recommended the largest salary increases for the President and PM — the two people who determined if they get back their job. Prime Minister Patrick Manning rose and said the President was under no obligation to appoint the person the PM does or does not want. He said the President can also write to the PM and Leader of the Opposition about a suggestion for appointment.

As she continued, Persad-Bissessar said the SRC members did not have security of tenure since their appointments were for three years and up to five years. She wondered if the SRC which recommended an increase in their own salaries and “large salary increases” for the Cabient and President were “singing for their supper.” She contrasted the $48,000 salary increase proposed for the PM and $33,000 for ministers against the $470 monthly given to people on public assistance (families with three members get $920 and four and more members $1,090), $800 disability grant, and $1,050 pensioners received. Persad-Bissessar also made reference to high food prices and inflation.