LOOP CARIBBEAN: Grenada’s Minister of Finance Dennis Cornwall has announced that in a bid to strengthen Parliamentary representation the matter of increased compensation to parliamentarians will be brought before the House Committee for deliberation and decision.
He says this will be guided by the Commonwealth Parliamentarians Pay and Remuneration Survey Outcome Report 2020 to 2021 which provides a comprehensive survey of parliamentary salaries and allowance across the Commonwealth nations.
The finance minister says the government shall propose a salary of $5,000 per month for each elected Member of Parliament irrespective of whether they are a Member of the Government or the Opposition.
The government shall also propose a Constituency Provision of $120,000 per year for each elected Member of Parliament irrespective of whether they are a Member of Government or Opposition.
Also being proposed is a salary of $3,500 to members of the Senate irrespective of whether they are a Government, Opposition or Independent appointed Senator
Cornwall says he is sure the nation will be shocked if told that Parliamentarians who are not Cabinet members or who are Opposition members of parliament only receive a basic parliamentary allowance of $1,474 per month while a Senator receives a basic parliamentary salary of $852 per month.
“This is clearly untenable,” says Minister Cornwall as he notes the experience in other Caribbean countries is vastly different ranging from Dominica to Trinidad and Tobago to The Bahamas.
The Finance minister says while successive governments have shied away from addressing this issue, he believes as current Members of the House they should not continue to kick the can down the road for the next generation of Parliamentarians.
Cornwall was speaking during the Budget presentation on Monday.
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That’s peanut change compared to what our parliamentarians and some others across the region makes. I am surprised that Grenadians would go into politics and be paid such a paltry salary. I am always for paying politicians well as it also serves as a deterrent to engaging in bribery and other underhand activities. We pay our politicians exceptionally well here and that is why they must be held to very high ethical and moral standards.
Mp gets 5000 and senators 3000 – what we’ll paid are you speaking of?
The politicians are blogging here under the guise of the commenting public
I know, that this is about Grenada, however, this pertains to Antigua, Barbuda & REDONDA as well.
##Trendsetters!
The Nation can become a Trancesetter for centuries, whereby our politicians actually volunteered to do the work, and not actually paid a salary, to do so. Before I get into a couple of points, first let me say, the only thing which We, as a Nation, can claim fame to is #CALYPSO_CRICKET by CHICKEE and De DOUBLE_DECKER!
Sir Viv, great cricketer not an outright trendsetter, he came close in some regards!
#Fetting is Trini!
#Jam_Band – claim to some fame, by Flames.
#Dancehall to #Skin_Out – Nah even fret, pan da wan dey!
So, this brings me, to a few reasons why our Parliamentarians can become, #Born_Again Politicians, by volunteering their time, after early or late retirement from the public or private sector, locally and internationally from the diaspora!
A…the government is already a non-profit. All they do, is beg, beg, beg, beg and borrow. PM Browne seems to be a Master at it. I hope, he didn’t catch the Art_Kelly and P_Diddy Syndrome.
Antiguans & Barbudan are already sounding the alarm on #Surviving_Gaston!
B…so, you bring your knowledge, expertise, wisdom, NOT no baggage and definitely, your training wheels should be off(no more Maria’s), and volunteer for the People.
C…Parliamentarians already get get perks – free gas, water, travel allowance, food housing too in some instances(GG), insurance etc.
Your retirement from being a politician(there should be limits on the PM seat and on Constiuency Reps as well. Keep the top fluid, well oiled, lubricated and moving. Stagnant parts corrode in place and cause the machine to seize up.
If you think you’re not done after you’ve retired twice, get a paid consultant job, write a book, just keep it[sic]the Government moving with systems which are functional-able and accountable for and to the People.
#trendsetting_Governance!
#put_A_Stamp_On_It!
Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
De ‘ole Dutty Peg🦶🏿Garrat_Bastard
Vere C. Edwards
C…Since, we can E-sign documents, do virtual conferences, international travels can be cut to the bones, let the AMBASSADORS do the hand shaking, at least, they’ll be earning their keep.
@Vere
I was about to say they should be paid better in Grenada but it was honestly yesterday I was saying that if I ever entered politics I would refuse all salary and give it back to the people. I would also implement a task force that go after former and current politicians who abused and stole government resources and put them all in prison.
So, I an in agreement that it is practical to have a government that is completely working for the benefit of the people without them getting any salary from the people. It is possible.
If the people was wise enough to elect folks who have already made it morally and legally outside of politics then that person would not need to take or accept anything from the government.
I believe your idea would ensure folks enter into politics to truly serve the people.
However you are speaking of Antigua, you are not speaking to people who encourages change, innovation, success or progress. You are speaking to people who abuse family and friends for corrupt politicians who is literally just about themself. Politicians that in these times have not even tried to educate themself and have those with the knowledge and education around to advise them.
Why there are still basic problems in Antigua is because no one has the education to be in the position they are in. Cxc is not enough and most of the times they do not even have a related cxc subject in the field they were placed by their dad or uncle or boyfriend or good friend that is in politics.
@Ras Smood, I would love to see a country to experiment on this idea. It could truly work. Serving because you love the people and the country. Not for pay or prestige.
@my way of helping…to be fearful of the inevitable in life, as in change(s) is simply another weight placed/attached to the albatross used as a shackle!
Change is Inevitable!
Change creates innovations and innovators!
Innovators create progress!
Progress enlightens!
Enlightenment balances and creates freedom.
The Struggle Continues…
Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
De ‘ole Dutty Peg🦶🏿Garrat_Bastard
Vere C. Edwards
If they get an increase, will they stop thieving? At least in Antigua. Not a lover of “third world” politicians, but I think in this case the salaries are pretty low. Antiguan politicians are doing astronomically well. They have the most lands and are building the biggest mansions. Even Gaston said on his radio station that Maria is well off after serving less than two terms as a minister.
I think the term he used was substantial assets.
Antigua parliamentarians and cabinet members also need substantial raises to attract good talent and keep them away from falling into corruption. The PM has had to block his cabinet members from engaging in corrupt acts over the years but if there was higher pay they wouldn’t be tempted in the first place and Gaston could reduce his vigilance.
@Troll
Gaston should be vigilant of himself. He should tell the people how he got his wealth.
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