“It is too premature to say that all MPs will get a pay hike.” So said Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar as she spoke to reporters after commissioning the start of a $400 million road repair programme, headed by Works and Infrastructure Minister Jack Warner.
The function took place at Dades Trace Extension, Tabaquite. In her feature address, Persad-Bissessar called on Warner and Junior Minister Stacy Roopnarine to supervise the mammoth construction project which included the paving of over 42 roads and 38 landslip projects across T&T.
She also promised that over 3,000 direct jobs and 1,000 indirect jobs would be made available during the project. Speaking to reporters after the function, Persad-Bissessar said it was not certain whether MP’s would get a pay hike. She explained that the Salaries Review Commission (SRC) was obligated by law to assess the salaries of State officials.
Responding to the T&T Guardian exclusive report yesterday on the proposed salary hike, Persad-Bissessar said: “I think the article is very premature. The law mandates that the SRC must do a salaries review, not only of MPs but also of senior officials of the State.
“We are complying with the law and at the end of the day the Government is free to accept it or reject it, even the SRC.” She said in the past the Government did not even recommend an increase. “Therefore, it is premature to say there are going to be salary increases,” Persad-Bissessar added.
Asked whether she believed the timing was off because of the unions’ calls for better wages, Persad-Bissessar said: “This is in keeping with the law of the land. They must comply within a certain timeframe. I cannot say how long it will take.
“It is not something that will happen tomorrow morning. They may or may not recommend an increase.
“In the event that an increase is recommended, the Government still has the option not to accept the report.” She explained, however, that there might be other senior public servants who may be inclined to have an increase, even if MPs did not accept.
On Tuesday, Leader of Government business in the Senate, Public Utilities Minister Emmanuel George, tabled the 96th report of the Salaries Review Commission. An April 3 circular letter, issued by Parliament, confirmed the review of salaries.
Parliament also issued a questionnaire, which, it said “seeks to obtain data primarily on the quantum of time Members of Parliament spend on parliamentary duties.
“The information sought will assist the committee and our researchers in the preparation of a comprehensive proposal for the consideration of the Salaries Review Commission.” it was stated. The last pay hike for ministers and MPs was in 2006 when the Prime Minister’s salary was increased to $48,000 a month; Cabinet ministers’ salaries increased to $33,00 a month and non-Cabinet ministers to $27,000.
The Leader of the Opposition moved to $23,800, MPs (non-ministers) increased to $14,000 and senators (non-ministers) to $10,500.
