No confidence says Mottley

LEADER of the Opposition, Mia Mottley, yesterday laid out a case of no confidence in the Democratic Labour Party Government. Chief among the issues, she said, are two resolutions before the House of Assembly for salary increases for Parliamentarians and Members of the Senate, as well as Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries.

She spoke of the resolutions as she wrapped up her marathon speech that lasted approximately five and half hours, interrupted only by a one and half hour lunch break. Mottley said this 10 per cent increase, at a time when some public officers who were laid off have not yet received their severance, is unconscionable. To that end, she indicated that at a meeting of the Barbados Labour Party’s parliamentarians, it was decided that they will not accept the increase, certainly not until the public servants in this country receive a salary increase of their own.

“I certainly will not receive it in my name, and would have to find a way for it to go to a charity until public servants in this country receive a salary increase, and until the public servants receive the separation packages.

“You cannot play with people’s emotions,” she contended.

Moreover, the Opposition Leader told the Lower House that whenever the resolutions are debated, her members will not be coming to the Chamber to participate in the debate.

“It is wrong and there is no other word for it,” she insisted.

Her comments came as she suggested that through the increase, a Minister of Cabinet could be receiving almost $18 000 extra per year, outside of the travel and entertainment allowances that are also expected to rise.

“This document, signed to increase salaries by 10 per cent – Ministers, Parliamentarians [and] Senators – is the greatest vote of no confidence, because this is about increasing the base of the pensions and gratuities that these members would be entitled to.

“Why would a government be so callous and indifferent as to take this decision in advance of making sure that they took care of the public servants who are under them?”

With that in mind, she offered some advice to the local trade unions, urging them to pay close attention, as there is “clearly money stirring around” which the unions need to be able to tap into to get better terms and conditions for their constituents. (JRT)