The salary increase for members of Dominica’s parliament, including the Prime Minister and executive members, has become a controversial topic, drawing criticism from Lennox Linton, President of the United Workers Party (UWP). Linton is challenging Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit’s stance that the public should not be concerned about these raises.
Linton points out the disparity in the salary hike, noting that the Prime Minister now receives an additional $4,000, and government ministers an extra $2,300. This increase comes at a time when public servants earning less than $2,000 monthly see no similar raise. He argues this situation is particularly unjust given that the Prime Minister already benefits from significant state-funded living expenses, including a home that costs over $100,000 a month in various expenses.
The debate gained traction following a press conference last week where PM Skerrit was questioned about the salary increments. The Prime Minister urged against making a fuss over the raises, emphasizing that they were part of a broader increase across the public service. “We are all part of the public service,” Skerrit stated, implying that it would be inconsistent to exclude parliament and the cabinet from the salary increases granted to others.
PM Skerrit defended the pay rise, referencing a 2007 parliamentary decision that pegged parliament members’ salaries to those of public officers. He explained that this measure was intended to prevent a situation where public officers earned more than ministers and the prime minister.
The salary debate has sparked discussions on popular radio shows, with many questioning the affordability and justification of the increases, especially against the backdrop of public servants with much lower salaries receiving no increase. Linton’s comments on Q95 highlight the growing frustration, emphasizing that while ordinary citizens struggle to make ends meet on salaries less than $2,000, the Prime Minister’s personal gain seems disproportionate.
This debate is not just about numbers but raises questions about fairness and the government’s priorities in a country where many Dominicans are struggling to survive. As the nation grapples with these issues, the eyes of the public remain fixed on how the DLP administration will navigate this contentious subject.
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