MPs decline pay hike for the “good of Bermuda”
 |
| Bermuda’s Premier, Dr. Ewart Brown |
HAMILTON, Bermuda-DESPITE the recommendation of a Legislative Salaries Review Board, Bermuda’s Ministers of Parliament have decided against receiving a large scale boost in their salaries as it would be unfair to citizens during the currently trying economic times.
“This government is keenly aware of the economic challenges that confront the island and we are determined to lead by example in prudent management of the economy, and as a model of the sacrifices that we each should make to ensure that our successful economy continues to the benefit of all Bermudians,” Bermuda’s Premier, Dr. Ewart Brown, said in a statement on the pay hikes late last week.
A Parliamentary Pay Report was tabled before Bermuda’s Parliament earlier in the month and suggested raising Members of Parliament (MP) salaries by US $15,000, or roughly 30 percent. Ministers of State would have also received a pay increase of just over US $13,000.
“We discussed it at length but at the end came to this conclusion. Of course we are still of the view we should get a rise but the timing is bad,” Brown further said.
The review board met fourteen times since February before Dr. Brown concluded that the raises “would be inappropriate and inconsistent” at this time.
“We have said we can lead by example and this is a situation where both parties came to the right conclusion for the good of the country,” the Premier said. ~~Adz:Right~~
Meanwhile, it was decided that retired civil servants should receive an 8.5 percent increase in their annual pensions, resulting in roughly US $3 million more per year in government spending.
Bermuda News