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News from the Caribbean as of
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Recommendations made to adjust salaries of Dominican MPs
Tuesday, July 4, 2006
by Malaika Laurent
Caribbean Net News Dominica Correspondent
Email: malaika@caribbeannetnews.com
ROSEAU, Dominica: A committee put in place to review the salaries of Dominican parliamentarians believes that their take-home pay should be adjusted.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit could receive a package of over nine thousand EC dollars monthly, if Parliament approves these recommendations, presented by the committee which was put in place by the local branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
This Committee is headed by former parliamentarian Frederick Baron. The two other members are lawyer David Bruney appointed by the opposition party and businessman Patrick Pemberton appointed by government.
At a news conference to announce the recommendations put forward, Baron emphasised that the proposals made by the committee, is not an increase.
“It’s not a salary increase, it’s a salary adjustment. The salary of the Prime Minister nineteen years ago was pegged at a certain level and things happened between then and now and no adjustments were made.
“We’re saying as a committee we would like to have granted a real salary increase, but because of the economic situation at this point in time, we can at least make an adjustment to reflect the position that existed nineteen years ago when the last salary increase was granted,” Baron said.
Baron added that he would recommend a much bigger salary, if the Dominican economy could afford it.
“At this point, we feel confident that the adjustment that we’re making is fair,” Mr Baron said, noting that the adjustment would fit snugly within one percent of GDP.
Mr Pemberton added that a salary increase for the Prime Minister and other parliamentarians is more than justified.
“I certainly wouldn’t work for that salary with those types of responsibilities,” he said.
The committee also made proposals to government to implement the Integrity in Public Office Act of 2003 at the earliest opportunity, for the improvement in the conduct and behaviour of elected Members of Parliament.
They also made several other recommendations including that of a review of the number of constituencies on island.
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