Sunday, 7th September 2008
Maltese MEPs to earn €84,000 per year
An MEP's job is set to become even more lucrative for Maltese during the next European Parliament legislature as their annual salaries rise by a whopping 540 per cent to €84,000.
The government has just agreed to implement the new MEP statute from the beginning of the next European legislature next year, according to a spokesman for the Office of the Prime Minister.
This will translate into an increase for the five Maltese MEPs of €68,460 a year.
MEPs are currently paid the same rate as MPs in their own countries resulting in stark differences between different nationalities. For example, while Italian MEPs are being paid €11,000 a month, Maltese MEPs earn €1,295 a month, the same as Maltese MPs. Lithuanian MEPs are much worse-off receiving a salary of just €800 a month.
However, under the new statute, first approved by MEPs and member states in 2005, from June all MEPs should have the same salary capped at €7,000 a month.
At the same time, the new statute introduces stricter controls on how MEPs should use and account for their lucrative allowances, which are currently worth some €300,000 per year. These changes were made in response to several sleaze allegations involving MEPs.
Member states still had the option to stick to the current regime and postpone these changes until 2019. However, the Maltese government decided to implement the new statute from June.
Although the government's decision will result in a massive increase in the take-home pay of Maltese MEPs, this decision will effectively result in savings to Maltese taxpayers.
Currently the salaries of the five Maltese MEPs are paid out of the Maltese exchequer's funds (€77,700 annually). However, under the new system, MEPs' salaries (€420,000 annually) will now be paid out of the internal funds of the European Parliament.
The government's decision was, predictably, welcomed by both Nationalist and Labour MEPs.
MEP Simon Busuttil said: "Today, the situation is very unequal with Maltese MEPs earning one tenth of the salary earned by Italian MEPs for doing the same job."
Labour MEP Louis Grech said: "I agree with the government's decision since the new MEP statute would lead to a clear, rational and streamlined structure especially when compared (with) the existing procedure."
At the same time, both sides agree that the new statute will bring new obligations particularly needed to fight the perception of sleaze surrounding MEP allowances. In fact, both the Nationalist and Labour MEPs pledged that they will be pushing their own parties to introduce a new code of conduct for those elected in June.
As MEPs come under increasing media scrutiny, many European parties are feeling the need to introduce stricter rules for their elected European representatives. A case in point is the British Conservative Party, which started implementing its new code this month.
The EP elections will be held on June 6.
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without saying that our representatives should earn as much as their
collegues from other countries, doing the same job in the same
institution.
No more and no less.
It is easy to pass a sweeping statement that employees in Lux,
Belgium, Holland and France earn more than those in Malta.
Afterall, that is why a country draws up a budget tailormade to its
economy, and it is not Brussels which does so.
And rightly so!
So, it is not fair that I pay rent, daily expenses and alimentation as
much as a Dutch, a Swede or a Germany. I would be definately much
poorer than I am! To the contrary, the EU gives us Maltese, like
other economies which are not at the toppest EU economic ranks, to
have our environmental, infrastructural, educational and social
projects cofunded by the citizens of the same countries I just
mentioned!
So YES our handful MEPs should earn as much as their Italian
counterparts, and YES we should chose only the best ones to represent
us in Europe.
Some did. Others didn't.
Information released by German statistical authorities shows that Maltese workers’ salaries in the industrial and services sectors experienced the lowest growth in the EU during the first months of the year (quote from Maltastar.com) The income of Maltese workers in these sectors increased by 2% in the first quarter of 2008 while across the EU, similar wages increased by an average 4.3%. The industry and the entire service sector cover the private sector of the economy and the non-market service branches. The latter are characterised by the public service and include, among other things, the public administration and the areas of education and health. The private sector includes the industry and the market services.
http://www.maltastar.com/pages/msrv/msfullart.asp?an=23887
Sorry if I was not that clear. I don’t want any of the Maltese in Brussels to be the ‘makku’ or less than any of their working colleagues while having their same duties. But I think that our Government in the next years (perhaps in 20yrs time) must achieve a target that our standard of living and also our wages must be the most possible that equivalent to others in EU countries. I know that it is easier said than done and for that reason I consider brain drain as the worse negative impact our national human resources can come across.
Regarding my comments on Dr Simon Busuttil I am surly not jealous of him although most of us I think would like his salary. My point was that I was let down by his refusal to the PM’s offer although Im sure other politicians would have probably made the same decision. To make things worse was his declaration before the PN’s secretary-general election and consequently his influence on other prospective candidates only to be seen as if a Macho and so vital (PM’s first choice) in the eyes of the Maltese citizens in general.
It goes something aong these lines:
"Why should another Maltese earn more than I? Its not a question of merit and hard work at all. If I am walking on the same soil as he is than he should not earn more than I do. After all we are all equal irrespective f the fact that someone works harder and is smarter than me. And I actually was stupid enough to vote for him! It is all about me me me me me me ..........."
That my friends is the message coming out of some your comments and its a shame that this colonial, socialist mentality still prevails. In a meritocracy people deserve all that they can earn.
As far as I am concerned Simon Busuttil has proved his worth and the salary he earns or is going to earn is well deserved because I am sure he is doing better for the Maltese people in EU parliament than any of his counterparts representing other countries. Same goes for some of the other Maltese MEPs.
Joseph Muscat appeased that other guy ( Politicians are all the same) who also wanted to be the leader of the Labour Party with an MEP job and Muscat himself seems to be regreting the day he decided to go for Labour Leader - the money isn't as good.
When elections come people should stay at home or at least go out and vote for a family member for MEP there is no need for them to be part of a political party. Or if people vote for me I'll let you look at my new shinny car and massive house. I'll even let you take pictures and promise not to cry if I hire out my new bought land to make more of that beautiful MONEY.
Thank You in advance.
I dont think you can complain much on Government salaries - the current collective agreement provide reasonable increases EACH year.
Still, the fact that Maltese MEPs gets this salary...I cant really understand why you are so willing to accept.
We have only two options
Either the situation remains as it is with some MEPs (like Italians) get something like 5x more than our MEPs
or else= equal pay.
So, simply, to make them feel "like us" ...should they forfeit the RIGHT to have equal pay?
Some of you here write that for jobs HERE in Malta we get LESS. but in this case we are speaking about the SAME job in the SAME place (brussels/strasbourg).
So why is this malconent?
Somebody mentioned jealousy, and I think its true.
I agree 100%. Being a nationalist, I will certainly not vote for Simon Busuttil in the forthcoming elections.
This is part of the ‘wellbeing’ (better jobs with higher wages) achieved by means of the EU accession but the Government must take care in particular of his staff within the civil service who are loaded with responsibilities in connection with the administration of our nation and that every day they are tempted to go for other jobs with the consequence that various departments can lose vital experience and their most valuable human recourses.
I strongly oppose the idea of having Dr Simon Busuttil as a next PN leader in the eventuality of a defeat for the PN in the next general elections. When offered the post as the party’s secretary-general by the PM, Dr Busuttil showed that he preferred the financial benefit achieved from politics then contributing where there is most need within the political sphere for the countries’ own good. Then he was insensible enough to the issue that he made it public himself and probably effecting the election for the party’s secretary-general in a way that other prospective candidates probably did not wanted to be seen as a second option. By doing so he proved himself not being a true Nationalist. In this way he had probably made the worse mistake he could have done and this can have serious consequences for his party in the near future. What would have been our destiny if persons like Dr Nerik Mizzi or Dr Gorg Borg Olivier had preferred more the financial benefit achieved from political involvement then contributing in the way they did?
This is definitely not true. Basically it depends on what you decide to spend your money on. It is a fact that rent in Luxembourg city is very expensive (> €1000 monthly for single bedroom). However many people who work there live either in small towns in France, Germany or Belgium (an hour's drive away), where the rent is way cheaper and even the cost of living. Consider Arlon, Metz or better, Trier. A friend of mine lives in Trier, works in Luxembourg (1 hours driver there and back) and fills up his tank in Luxembourg (where gasolene is dramatically cheaper yet than the surrounding countries). He says he will not be coming back to Malta ever (except for visits), due to the quality of life. I think it's not fair to try to fool people and tell them disposable income is the same for the same jobs...
What is wrong with our stock exchange?
@ Steve Muscat Azzopardi - yes Luxemburg's GDP could be inflated for the reasons meantioned correctly by yourself . However are they that inflated? What about the figures of countries such as the UK , Ireland , France , Germany , Sweden etc? Are these all wrong?
Your SHOUTING is giving all of us a headache. Did anyone ever tell you that writing in capital letters on the internet is rude and uncouth?
@ Malcolm Schembri : I was raised and lived in Malta for 25 years, and I've lived here 4 years, returning frequently to Malta. I can assure you the relative disposable income remains the same. Full insurance on a 10 year old Megane cost me EUR 700 per year with 55% No Claims Discount. A routine car service costs €300. A 1-bed apartment (60 sq metres) rents for € 900 unfurnished or € 250,000 to buy. A doctor's visit is €30 as John Zahra says. I pay over 55% tax including all social contributions + income tax... the list goes on.
I don't know what the statistics are based on, but bear in mind that with so many global companies registered in Luxembourg, there are some massive executive + director salaries that are definitely not the average. I certainly don't have 200% more purchasing power than I did in Malta :-(
Good night all, I'm off to get my rest in order to work another day and pay my bills :-)
Hopefully they work as hard for Malta, as others do for their country.
I agree with the person living in Luxembourg. My job has got me to work, for periods of four -six months in many European capitals.
I would usually get a pay of approximately 2.5 x higher than in Malta BUT:)
in most continental countries - used to spend more than that on food;
used to pay electricity bills 4/5 higher
paying euro 1000 for a little appartment
paying almost 2.50 euro for a short bus ride (admittedly higher quality but there you go)
paying 1 euro for a daily newspaper
Steve M Azzopardi mentioned correctly that cars are cheaper. But perhaps he can tell us:
- cost of diesel/petrol and more importantly
cost of car insurances, services.......They really make Maltese rates look so cheap.
and, a short 30 minute visit to the doctor...30/40 euro ...
So please stop this nonesense of 'deserving equal pay'.
According to Eurostat the average person in Luxemburg have 270% the purchasing power of the average european. The average Maltese has less then 70%.
So please explain as to how Income is always relative to the expenses? As official statistics state differently!
WHAT`S THE FUSS, I DARE SAY TO ALL........ IT`S MONEY COMMING OUT OF THE E.U. COFFERS, AND NOT FROM OUR TAXES, I GUESS.............
HOW ABOUT, GETTING TO KNOW SOMEDAY, HOW MUCH ARE OUR POLITICAL APPOINTEES, LIKE CHAIRPERSONS ETC..., PAID FROM OUR TAXES...!!!!!????!!!!????
ONCE I HEARD THAT SOME OF THEM, (INCLUSIVE OF ALL FRINGE BENEFITS), THAKE A VERY NICE SLICE ANNUALLY, OF OUR TAXES, HOME... EVEN MORE THAN A PRIME MINISTER..,.!!!!!!!!!!!
FOR TRANCEPARENCY`S SAKE, ALL OF THESE `MYSTERIOUS` TAX SPENDINGS ON EVERY POLITICAL APPOINTEE, MUST COME OUT IN THE OPEN IMMEDIATELY, BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT CONCERNS ME MOST, NOT THE MEP`S SALARIES....
I see that they're sweating it out and want to be compensated just as their European counterparts. So shouldn't we - the normal people - be also compensated as our European counterparts for equivalent work?
"At the same time, the new statute introduces stricter controls on how MEPs should use and account for their lucrative allowances, which are currently worth some €300,000 per year."
May I ask. Was this allowance available to Maltese MEPs as well? And if yes, were they being declared as fringe benefits on their tax returns?
Of course MEPs have it better as they need provide no justification for their income, while if an employed person doesn't show real output every day their job is on the line.
As to the Labour MEPs who did their level best to prevent Malta's entry to the EU, yet jumped to Brussels as soon as they could, they should have been honest and stated their views rather than toe the party line. These have no integrity whatsoever as far as I'm concerned and don't deserve 84 cents let alone € 84K.
What about the rest of us Maltese peasants doing the same kind of work as our European counterparts and receiving a miserable salary?There goes all my respect for Simon Busuttil!
´´...Maltese MEPs earn €1,295 a month...´´
´´...under the new system, MEPs' salaries (€420,000 annually)...´´
I cannot find the tiniest remnants of integrity: MPs talk of a global financial crisis, and the need to restrain the already low Maltese salaries for the sake of competitiveness, yet the MEPs´ salary is to explode in a stellar manner. Next June, I´ll be voting,... only for the genius who can justify all this nonsense.