Published: 23/11/2009
Bangkok Post
The national representatives of the people have just received a pay rise. It is a pretty hefty increase, too
Members of parliament and senators got an increase in their basic salary. They also received a hefty boost in their monthly expenses. Allowances for committee and sub-committee meetings were hiked. They get higher travel allowances, better (and more expensive) health insurance and a bigger contribution to the welfare fund.
It gets better _ at least for the MPs and senators. Unlike most employees, they didn't have to ask their bosses for the rise in salary and perks. Nor did they have to justify the need for a basic pay rise of better than 5%.
Most employers of salaried workers point out that the cost of living has actually shrunk in recent months, and the economy has contracted. The MPs and senators are in a different position from most workers, however. They simply gave the raise to themselves.
It is more than a little discouraging for the employers of these lucky men and women, which is to say all citizens of the country. We did not get any warning that our representatives intended to increase their monthly salaries and numerous other stipends. Nor was there any public vote on the increases. The cabinet adopted the bonuses at its regular meeting last Tuesday. It was announced as an irreversible decision after the meeting.
PM's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey, at least, recognised that the public would be unhappy with the rise in pay and perks. The government, he said coyly, should explain the reasons for the increase. But then, standing in front of the media after the cabinet meeting, he simply refused to recognise that he is a key member of the government, and indeed a major spokesman for the policies of the cabinet. He offered no justification for the higher salaries, expenses and bonuses.
In truth, it is difficult to imagine any.
In recent weeks, House whips in general have complained openly that MPs are not even showing up for regular meetings of parliament. Aside from that, there is no obvious reason that springs to mind why the MPs and colleagues in the upper House need higher salaries. The monthly pay and expense account of an ordinary MP has gone from 104,000 to 110,120 baht. In addition, he or she now receives an extra 1,200 baht and 800 baht, respectively, for each meeting of committees and sub-committees. Then there are those travel funds, insurance benefits and so on.
MPs and senators with higher standing such as committee chairs, cabinet members and so on get more. The prime minister and president of parliament, for example, are to receive a base payment of 121,990 baht each month.
The country is in recession, with high unemployment and fast-growing debt. The prime minister has adopted high rates of public spending to try to stimulate the economy, provide jobs and try to kickstart the economy again.
But higher salaries and half a dozen better perks for the members of parliament was never mentioned as part of the programme.
Mr Abhisit owes a direct explanation to the country about why the government felt that MPs and senators need more money right now.
Better still, he could announce that after further consideration, he and his colleagues have decided to take a more thrifty tack.
It would be a good idea to forego any raises and bonuses until the country is back on its economic feet.
Bangkok Post
The national representatives of the people have just received a pay rise. It is a pretty hefty increase, too
Members of parliament and senators got an increase in their basic salary. They also received a hefty boost in their monthly expenses. Allowances for committee and sub-committee meetings were hiked. They get higher travel allowances, better (and more expensive) health insurance and a bigger contribution to the welfare fund.
It gets better _ at least for the MPs and senators. Unlike most employees, they didn't have to ask their bosses for the rise in salary and perks. Nor did they have to justify the need for a basic pay rise of better than 5%.
Most employers of salaried workers point out that the cost of living has actually shrunk in recent months, and the economy has contracted. The MPs and senators are in a different position from most workers, however. They simply gave the raise to themselves.
It is more than a little discouraging for the employers of these lucky men and women, which is to say all citizens of the country. We did not get any warning that our representatives intended to increase their monthly salaries and numerous other stipends. Nor was there any public vote on the increases. The cabinet adopted the bonuses at its regular meeting last Tuesday. It was announced as an irreversible decision after the meeting.
PM's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey, at least, recognised that the public would be unhappy with the rise in pay and perks. The government, he said coyly, should explain the reasons for the increase. But then, standing in front of the media after the cabinet meeting, he simply refused to recognise that he is a key member of the government, and indeed a major spokesman for the policies of the cabinet. He offered no justification for the higher salaries, expenses and bonuses.
In truth, it is difficult to imagine any.
In recent weeks, House whips in general have complained openly that MPs are not even showing up for regular meetings of parliament. Aside from that, there is no obvious reason that springs to mind why the MPs and colleagues in the upper House need higher salaries. The monthly pay and expense account of an ordinary MP has gone from 104,000 to 110,120 baht. In addition, he or she now receives an extra 1,200 baht and 800 baht, respectively, for each meeting of committees and sub-committees. Then there are those travel funds, insurance benefits and so on.
MPs and senators with higher standing such as committee chairs, cabinet members and so on get more. The prime minister and president of parliament, for example, are to receive a base payment of 121,990 baht each month.
The country is in recession, with high unemployment and fast-growing debt. The prime minister has adopted high rates of public spending to try to stimulate the economy, provide jobs and try to kickstart the economy again.
But higher salaries and half a dozen better perks for the members of parliament was never mentioned as part of the programme.
Mr Abhisit owes a direct explanation to the country about why the government felt that MPs and senators need more money right now.
Better still, he could announce that after further consideration, he and his colleagues have decided to take a more thrifty tack.
It would be a good idea to forego any raises and bonuses until the country is back on its economic feet.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment