Bas calls on PM to cut pay by half
Gail Alexander | 8:46 pm
Published: April 6th, 2009
From left: Bruce Golding, Patrick Manning and Basdeo Panday
Gail Alexander | 8:46 pm
Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday is calling on Prime Minister Patrick Manning to follow the example of Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding and take a 15 per cent salary cut. “And the pay cut should be taken by both the Prime Minister and his wife, and it should be a 50 per cent cut between them,” Panday said yesterday, adding that he, too, was willing to take a pay cut.
Prime Minister Manning and his wife currently take home more than $75,000 in salaries alone, under terms set by the Salaries Review Commission in February, 2006. Caribbean Media Company (CMC) regional news service reported yesterday that Jamaican Prime Minister Golding was taking a 15 per cent pay cut and freezing public sector salaries, as the Jamaican 2010 Budget was being prepared. The report stated that Golding had also suggested a ten per cent pay cut for fellow MPs, and said people should lead by example.
Golding’s call came five months after UNC deputy, Jack Warner, had called for Manning to lead by example in Government’s belt-tightening exercise and take a ten per cent salary cut. Warner, who takes home $1 monthly as MP, had also said that if he could do so, Manning could take home $2. Panday said: “I think we in T&T should make the same suggestion as Mr Golding to Mr Manning. But I believe Mr Manning and his wife should take salary pay cuts amounting to 50 per cent. “Manning should also consider renting out part of his huge house.” Asked if he would take a salary cut himself in his Opposition Leader’s $23,800, monthly salary, Panday replied:
“I would certainly be prepared to take a salary cut.” Asked if his UNC MPs would accept pay cuts also, Panday said: “We haven’t discussed it, but I have no doubt they’ll agree.” Prime Minister Patrick Manning is in London, and acting Prime Minister Lenny Saith was unavailable for comment. Contacted yesterday, several government ministers said the SRC increases were given in 2006, and another increase proposal was due. They made it clear, however, that Government would not take salary increases when the recommendation came up. “You will see Government replying a firm ‘No’ when the question of another salary hike comes up soon,” one minister said.
Another minister said Golding’s call for ministerial salary cuts were made in the context of a public sector wage freeze in Jamaica. He added: “But no such public sector wage freeze will be implemented in T&T. Government has stated, since last year in the belt-tightening warning, that there will be no salary cuts.” The spokesman also pointed out that Jamaican Government ministers’ salaries were supplemented by the grant of free, fully-furnished houses with maids and cars. He added that while Jamaican ministers did not have to pay for their cars, T&T ministers did.
SRC-set monthly salaries
• Prime Minister—$48,000.
• Cabinet government ministers— $33,000.
• Non-Cabinet government ministers $27,000.
• Opposition Leader $23,800.
• MPs, other than ministers—$14,000.
• Senators—other than ministers, $10,500.
UNC deputy Kamla Persad-Bissessar said in 2006 that Manning—in addition to his salary—also received a $7,500 duty allowance, a transport allowance of $4,500, a $20,000 travel grant, a $600 daily stipend when travelling overseas. She said Manning also has a “fleet of cars and chauffeur, paid for by the State, plus unlimited telephone calls, free medical and housing.’’
Persad-Bissessar said when Mrs Manning’s income was added to this, the Mannings’ combined household income in cash and perks of $120,000 monthly worked out to almost $1.4 million annually.
