Former Minister Advocates for Salary Increase for Parliamentarians
Former Education Minister Dr. Jacqui Quinn has expressed strong opinions regarding the recent salary increase for parliamentarians in Antigua and Barbuda, calling for a more equitable compensation structure aligned with regional standards.
In a detailed comment on Observer Radio, Dr. Quinn addressed various aspects of the salary increase and the broader context of parliamentary remuneration.
Dr. Quinn began by highlighting the disparity in salaries between parliamentarians and public servants, noting, “As a former minister myself and parliamentarian, I know for a fact that the salaries of ministers and parliamentarians generally in Antigua and Barbuda are amongst the lowest in the region.”
She emphasized the need for parliamentarians’ salaries to be comparable to those of chief executive officers (CEOs), given their roles as policy heads and constituency managers.
Regarding the 14% increase given to parliamentarians, Dr. Quinn acknowledged the justification behind it but questioned its implementation.
She remarked, “How did this government justify giving themselves a 14% increase one time in one fell swoop and making it retroactive to January 2023, but the hard-working public servants got 5% in staggered increments?” Dr. Quinn suggested a more phased approach to the salary increase, similar to what was done for public servants.
Dr. Quinn also addressed opposition within parliament regarding the salary increase, stating, “I’ve heard some opposition parliamentarians saying they don’t want it. Just stop the nonsense. You deserve it and you should accept it because right now you’re working for a pittance.”
She urged all parliamentarians to accept the increase and focus on efficiently fulfilling their duties.
Furthermore, Dr. Quinn emphasized the importance of parliamentarians demonstrating professionalism and competence in their roles.
She stated, “Once you get this increase, we expect you to do your jobs with efficiency and competence, show up when you’re supposed to show up, work hard for the people who are paying for you, show yourselves worthy.”
Dr. Quinn’s remarks come amidst ongoing discussions about the remuneration of government officials in Antigua and Barbuda, with calls for fair and equitable compensation reflective of their responsibilities and contributions to public service.
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I’m advocating for all government employees to receive their 9% increase retroactive to January, 2023. Gaston you too wicked. Too many people struggling financially.
JAQUI Quinn. ..You are a DAMN HYPOCRITE. You love the cash.
So because some people have a “Dr” in front of their first name, they should come on the public radio and speak pure garbage?
What this doctor fail to recognize in this pious move that the Gatson Browne administration just pulled off, is the lack of principle in the entire gesture.
Yes people should get pay for their work, point taken, and although these politicians are comparable to CEO’s in their decision making abilities, no leader or CEO of any company should pay themselves before they pay their workers, none, and this was what took place here.
A good and compassionate leader would pay his workers first, and make sure they are taken care of first, so no, I do not back this inconsiderate move that was done here.
Pay the workers first, then if there is a few dollars left over, then take yours from that, but for the government to owe so many people, and turn around and pay themselves instead, is just downright distasteful.
That Dr….is outside of her mind. What she not payback or return the publics funds was used foe thei C.. R treatment? What about the not well funded,financial struggle woman not get this DR…treatment get before anybody.
Shame of you deceiver,Shame on you.
I keeping out of this one….when it comes to money in their pockets the ayes have it….all 17. None will oppose it. Plus all the free perks…utilities included!
Can you imagine…new pensioners have wait for 2 years plus to receive pension from the Social security…and with no explanation…2 years and more.
And politicians get their full salary as pension with interest if it’s late….
The Ayes have it!
Based on her saying this, I have lost all respect for her. I am not accepting any salary or salary far beyond what other public servants are getting, if I was in politics. If the opposition say they do not want it and rejects it based on my statement, I respect them. Anyone who tells them otherwise I have lost respect for.
How can you say what you just said but say to oppositions who are standing on principles to simply accept the money. What kind of former minister is this?
Antiguans have no self respect
More double-speak from a politician (although a former one). Just goes to show that these people stick together and then reveal their utter CONTEMPT for the struggling hardworking citizens of this country.
Is anyone really surprised though?
They are all in lockstep together these greedy politicians.
I’ve read that UK’S politicians have also voted themselves for an inflation busting pay increase as well, and they can ill afford these rises, especially after leaving the European Union – they have lost Billions in revenue from their former EU partners.
Politicians aren’t the brightest of people, but they well an’ know how to line their own pockets.
Jacquii, we don’t expect any different from you after to the MBS saga, you know? I also heard that when ABLP came in, they had to remove a relative from the Prime Minister’s scholarship list…
All I’m saying is, I’m not surprised.
LMAO!!!!!!! Dr. Jacqui Quinn is saying what they all wanna say say now here comes the miserable ones trying to drag here🤣🤣🤣. Looks pan them niw backpeddling and trying to insult the good Dr with her doctorate degree🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. Dr. Quinn knows exactly what she is saying because that was the first thing UPP did when they were elected in 2004 give themselves a pay raise when saw what ALP miniters pay. Don’t be mad at Dr Quinn now yall well want the pay raise.
Here comes my online stalker in 3…2…1…
@ Chupes
u r such a liar.
UPP never increased ministers salaries. WHY U MINIONS LIE SO?
First of all b!tch who tf u call a minion u f### know me? Second of all UPP did take a pay raise in 2004 some of u like to pretend that they were never in power but they were. Also Dr Quinn was one of the most vocal justifying the pay raise as at the time she was the the minister of labour so now f### off from under my post u b!tch🖕🏾🖕🏾🖕🏾🖕🏾
@ Chupes
as though your words can harm me.
All you liard labourites do is deceive and lie to the Antiguan public.
Maybe you are not aware that your Labour party was caught out lying about increasing parliamentarians salary when the Financial Secretary said it was not due to them. TIEF, TIEF, TIEF
NOTHING THAT U MINIONS AND UR PARTY DO IS HONEST AND ABOVE BOARD, THERE IS ALWAYS SOME FINANCIAL BENEFIT INVOLVED.
BUNCH OF FRAUDS
As usual u UPP people are always quick with the A$$umptions and making an A$$ out of urselves. U people want to give the impression that UPP is so clean and upstanding. There is no denying one of the first thing UPP did when they won in 2004 was give themselves a pay raise. Dr Quinn was the one leading the charge saying the pay did not match the level of responsibility they had. U can come under my comment calling me all the minion u want but it won’t change history. Now f### off from under my comment b!tch!!!!
@ Sicko: You hit da pig dey hard wid the stone (lol). Look how dem squeal out. A minions dem be. L.M.A.O.
Quinn has a math problem. Parliamentarians , Judges etc got no back (retroactive) pay for 2018 – 2023. Non established workers in 2020 got back pay of at least 14 percent, while parliamentarians, judges.. got none. For the latter their at least 14 percent (its a bit more) increase began in 2024 while for the majority of non established it began in 2020. In addition the later started getting back pay for the period beginning in 2018. Its a pity the persons like Quinn are seeking to dumb down the public
By the way, none of the Ministers of Government were making the salary they are making now outside of Government. With all the free perks thrown in they are all living high on the hog and are in a much better position than most citizens. I dare anyone of them if they are so dissatisfied with their pay leave the goddam job and go back to the private sector or from whence they came. Additionally, I don’t believe that they are the lowest paid in the region.
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