MPs walk out in salary debate protest
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday April 10, 2017 13:44
The issue arose last Friday after MPs failed to form a quorum protesting that their salaries and allowance Bill was not discussed rather they were used to pass President’s pensions and retirement benefits.
The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) MPs backbench did not leave any stone unturned, as they were the ones demanding to know why their Bill cannot be passed.
The MPs felt that they were betrayed by the Minister of Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration Eric Molale, as they had agreed at the all-party caucus that the two bills would pass.
Keabetswe Molepang said, “MPs are failing to deliver at their constituencies because they are not paid well. Some of the constituencies have villages or wards, which are more than 200 km apart. Why did they rush to bring President’s Bill when is not urgent than addressing MPs request”.
Lepang Bolelang said; “ Our MPs, President and Cabinet Ministers are the lowest paid in Southern Africa. There is need to review their salaries. I don’t think the MPs can represent people well if they are not well paid. MPs will not deliver in Parliament if they are not happy”.
Moiseraela Nthobatsang said; “The MPs do not have unions that could speak on their behalf for salary increase.
If they could keep on making sure that Parliament quorum collapse may be that is when the President will take them serious”.
BDP chief whip Liakat Kablay said he is disappointed at the way things turned out.
“We have agreed that there is need for this Bill to be passed.
The Minister could have advised at all-party caucus that MP salary and constituency allowance Bill has been recently advertised and therefore cannot be discussed.
MPs have long proposed that they be assisted with vehicles at their areas to tour constituencies, have a funeral plan amongst other things. It is not a secret. MPs are not well paid and the nation should know that,” Kablay said.
He said the Office of the President is always reluctant to listen to what MPs propose.
He continued; “I don’t think MPs will cooperate or agree to discuss other things in July Parliament if their Bill is not passed. People expect a lot of things from their MPs when they know well they do not have money.
People out there think that we are paid well when it is not the case”.
Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) chief whip, Wynter Mmolotsi said Parliament collapsed because MPs were angry that their Bill was not discussed.