THE COMMITTEE REPORTS/FINDINGS ON PARLIAMENTARY SALARIES

Parliamentary Salaries Committee Report - November 2003
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THE COMMITTEE THAT REVIEWED THE EMOLUMENTS OF PARLIAMENTARIANS

On February 4, 2003 the Prime Minister, the Right Honourable P.J. Patterson, announced in Parliament the establishment of a committee to review the emoluments of Parliamentarians.

The members of the committee are:

The Hon. Oliver Clarke, O.J. Chairman
Bishop Charles Dufour Member
Mr. Tony Lewars Member
Mrs. Corrine McLarty Member
Mr. Las Perry Member
Mrs. Maria Walters Secretary

 


 

 


The committee will be examining the current issues of salaries allowances, reimburables, pensions and conditions of services for Parliamentarians in the context of their terms of reference, which are:

1. "To examine the history of the adjustments in emoluments to Members of the Cabinet and Parliament since the Ashenheim Report of 1973 and the subsequent findings of such Review Groups as the Sasso and Fletcher Committees.

2. To examine and report on the factors which have attributed to delays, if any, in implementing the accepted formula and the resulting impact.

3. To report on how the most recent increases compare with other areas of public service wage and salary settlements during the past ten years.

4. To consider whether the present formula and linkages should be maintained, modified or abandoned taking into account the decision to provide remuneration to the Public Sector, based on 80% of the market.

5. To recommend, whether or not a new formula is required, and if so to make proposals to the basis, mode and machinery of its application.

6. To consider the implications of the treatment of Parliamentarians as "self-employed" and to make recommendations as it may deem just and appropriate.

7. To examine the allowances presently paid to non-ministerial members of the Senate, and recommend such adjustments as appear necessary.

8. To examine the contributory pension scheme for Parliamentarians and to make recommendations on the provision of reasonable pension benefits for retired legislators."

In keeping with the procedure followed by past committees the members of the Parliamentary Salaries Review Committee will be interviewing Parliamentarians both past and present, Senior Civil Servants, Trade Unions, and Members of the Public.

The committee has held meetings with the Jamaica Employers Federation and the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica.