[UPDATED] Kamla to Govt: Take 5% pay cut in solidarity

OPPOSITION Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has called on Government MPs to lead by example in these difficult times by both taking a five per cent pay cut in solidarity with suffering citizens and having a cap on tax concessions for the purchase of vehicles. She issued the challenge while giving the Opposition Leader’s response to the budget in the House on Friday.

“When I speak about empathy and sacrifice, I do so with moral authority,” she declared, recalling when she led the People’s Partnership into a new government and established the Children’s Life Fund, she led by example by putting ten per cent of her salary as prime minister in that fund.

Her ministers followed suit by contributing five per cent of their salary for all of the partnership’s five year tenure.

“This is about leadership. It was in solidarity with the poor and a response to suffering.” She said another great moment of moral leadership has arrived. “I call on this Rowley-led administration to consider a five per cent pay cut in solidarity with suffering citizens.”

Persad-Bissessar explained that in doing this, Government would be following the glowing examples of countries like New Zealand, India and Singapore, where top politicians have taken pay cuts in solidarity with the poor especially in a time of the covid19 pandemic..

“While such a move will not shift the government’s overall fiscal position, it is about leadership. Let us call it a policy of coronavirus solidarity. Show that you are riding out these difficult times with the people.”

She added: “While I expect a collective moan and groan from colleagues opposite, they may even consider it a short-term initiative for 12 months as citizens face the harshest of circumstances.” Persad-Bissessar suggested the funds can go towards a special cooked-food supply programme for citizens deemed to be in extreme need.

“From our side, we did it already to save the lives of children in the period 2010-15. We stand prepared to participate in a collective effort, if the Government can find the heart and the will.” She said, however, with or without the Government, she has instructed her MPs to take steps to increase their assistance to the poor and suffering at this very difficult time.

She also asked Government to work with the Opposition on revisiting tax exemptions on vehicles for members of parliament.

“Today I want to indicate that the members of the opposition bench are willing to work with Government for us to revisit the exemptions on motor vehicles with respect to putting a cap and/or...with respect to the number of times such exemptions can be given.”

Persad-Bissessar also criticised Finance Minister Colm Imbert’s announcement in the budget of the removal of tax concessions on the importation of private vehicles and that the permissible age of imported foreign used cars will be reduced from four to three years, along with a reduction in the importation quota by 30 per cent.

She said: “The Minister while sitting upright at the wheel of his Mustang and luxury Benz, as I saw on a Facebook posting this week, would not be aware that ordinary low income workers in elementary occupations, particularly single mothers, buy low cost used cars to take their children to school and to drive to and from work. They can’t afford the million-dollar-plus Porsche Cayenne, and the Mercedes Maybach favoured by PNM ministers”

On Tuesday when asked about concerns from automotive dealers the Prime Minister said foreign exchange was needed for medicine and other priority items and cars were not high on the priority list. Persad-Bissessar said Dr Rowley can declare that cars were not critical “because he has a fleet of luxury vehicles at his command.”

“And the Minister boasts about helping small and medium-sized enterprises while presiding over their demise in the used car sector. This is the deceit we speak about today.”

She also said with the liberalisation of the fuel market and sale of NP gas stations the price of fuel will increase.

This story has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

OPPOSITION Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has advised Government members to take a five per cent pay cut in solidarity with suffering citizens.

She was giving the opposition leader's response to the budget in the House on Friday.

"When I speak about empathy and sacrifice, I do so with moral authority," she declared, recalling when she led the People's Partnership into a new government and established the Children’s Life Fund, they led by example when she put ten per cent of her salary as prime minister in that fund. Her ministers followed suit by contributing five per cent of their salary for all of five years.

"This is about leadership. It was in solidarity with the poor and a response to suffering."

She said another great moment of moral leadership had arrived.

"I call on this Rowley-led administration to consider a five per cent pay cut in solidarity with suffering citizens."

Persad-Bissessar explained that in doing this Government would be following the glowing examples of countries like New Zealand, India and Singapore, where top politicians have taken pay cuts in solidarity with the poor.

"While such a move will not shift the government’s overall fiscal position, it is about leadership. Let us call it a policy of coronavirus solidarity. Show that you are riding out these difficult times with the people."

She added: "While I expect a collective moan and groan from colleagues opposite, they may even consider it a short-term initiative for 12 months as citizens face the harshest of circumstances."

Persad-Bissessar suggested the funds could go towards a special cooked-food supply programme for citizens deemed to be in extreme need.

"From our side, we did it already to save the lives of children in the period 2010-15. We stand prepared to participate in a collective effort, if the Government can find the heart and the will."

She said, however, with or without the Government, she has instructed her MPs to take steps to increase their assistance to the poor and suffering at this very difficult time.