Joe Busuttil, Fgura
Generous gift to former ministers
One promise that the PM has kept is to give a sum of money to his ex-ministers who failed to keep their ministries after the last general election. For good measure he even included the former Leader of the Opposition in this list.
I say that he is being very generous with our money, since in my book those who underperform do not deserve such a gift.
I wonder if in five years' time, when he will no longer be PM, he will expect the same treatment?
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lgalea
Dec 2nd 2008, 23:53
J Martinelli
You do not compare part time salaries with other countries, but with the salaries paid in Malta.
J Micallef
Dec 2nd 2008, 17:57
My last comment on the subject.
While I agree with (most of) Mr. Busuttil's comments, I do disagree with the last comment.
I still believe that the current PM is in time to get thing on course and will be able consolidate his position in 5 year;s time.
It does not mean that I won't be making criticism where it's due, though.
I just want a healthier Govt.
J Micallef
Dec 2nd 2008, 16:59
@J Martinelli.
Since you're asking, I'm a professional, with two degrees - one in Malta, the other worldwide recognised. By the way, I am still 25 years short of my retirement - subject to availability of funds.
I also work within a large organisation, and often my working weeks are much longer than 40 hours- and get no overtime, mind you, 'cos its a managerial position. Because of my loyalty and dedication to my work (and I LOVE my job), I have had to forego a number of things in my life - including hobbies and some periods of the year are a no-go for vacation leave. I have to constantly keep myself updated viz. my profession, otherwise I might lose my job.
I (and my work) gets scrutinised by auditors, regulators, consultants, etc regularly because I am accountable for my work. The shareholders have entrusted management with millions of their savings and we intend to take good care of it (that's called stewardship).
I don't envy politicians.They have their problems, and I got mine. But I do hate it when they reason things like - "so, it didn't work...so what?" It's hard earned money they're throwing in the drains.
Dunstan Crockford
Dec 2nd 2008, 16:25
Not bad at all!!! Hopefully they will also be liable to pay for the mistakes they committed!!!! While writing,I have the Balluta refurbishment project in mind . It went all wrong!!! Drainage seeping every other day.....reflectors instead of proper street lighting opposite Neptunes Pitch...the list goes on......and we are all worse off!!!!
r. bezzina
Dec 2nd 2008, 15:23
@ J Martinelli
The conditions you mentioned go with the job and all MPs know it. Besides, these poor wretches all have a job waiting for them the day after they don't get elected. They are all professionals some with companies and agencies unlike most employees who lose their job and have to go on the dole. I would like to know how many days....no,make that hours the unelected ex MPs spent in the dole queue.
J Martinelli
Dec 2nd 2008, 13:05
@ J Micallef
When you choose to run and be elected to a political position, you will surely change your mind. I have no idea what your position is or was before retiring, but I dare guess that you were well accustomed (and protected) by a forty hour week (or less), did not have to put up with public scrutiny, took vacations when you pleased and were not deprived of family for stretches at a time in service for your country. You fail to mention that our Members of Parliament on both sides are paid as part-timers compared to what foreign government members are. Maybe it is time to upgrade their salaries to full-time scales.
A politician's life, unlike what many think it is, is far different from that of an employee whether he is a clerk or CEO.
mary Pace
Dec 2nd 2008, 13:01
@R Calleja
I wish to ask you,as last year the pm said we pensioner will get the full amount of the increase & he gave us one time 50c,for the full year, ARE WE getting that 50c this year?? or was it one time only?? otherwise we are 50c less from the increase!!( I hope it won't happenned again this year.otherwise ,we pensioner ,are not getting the full amount.like the Pm promised us!!) I hope you do understand me ,because every time someone asks , ataparsi the minister or secretary they donot understand!!!
Charles Azzopardi
Dec 2nd 2008, 13:00
Well said Mr. Busutill,
As these poor people were left out of job and living on the dole.
Not one of them was against this redundancy payment, all members agreed and no one complained, as the next time it could be anyone of them.
for me they are all the same running after that seat in parlament and forgetting all the rest, like the increase in their pay, for us EUURO 4 per week and for themeuro 290 per week plus no electricity, telephone petrol/diesel and other incentives for free, and the lower/middle class always forgotten.
EURO 4 per week already absobed in the car licence for next year, as it is more than 18 years old although in good condition.
lgalea
Dec 2nd 2008, 12:49
J Micallef
Elected 2 times not 3 times.
Moreover, they get a 2/3 pension not based on the salary that they had when and if they are not elected, but 2/3 of the current salary which obviously increases over time, something which we lesser mortals are not entitled to. I agree with 2/3 pension based on the current salary/wage for everyone for otherwise this is blatant discrimination.
Furthermore, please remember that they are part-timers.
lgalea
Dec 2nd 2008, 12:45
R.Calleja
YOU ARE WRONG
Let me give you a simple example.
Let's say you have €100 per week pension and the government gives €3 COLA.
You get €2 added to your pension and €1 as a bonus.
At the end of the year your pension will be €102 and not €103.
This means that every year your pension is only being increased by 2/3 of COLA and not by the whole amount.
So the cost of living has gone up by say the €3 and at the end of the year you will only get €2 because in the following and subsequent years you will continue to lose one third of COLA every year.
So you see R Calleja, Gonzipn has again cheated the pensioners when he said that they will get the full COLA in their pensions.
R.Calleja
Dec 2nd 2008, 12:12
@ I.Galea
Are you living in yesteryear? Didn't you realise that since last year's budget we pensioners are receiving the full amount of increase given to all workers? Be it in a form of bonus does not hinder the full increase we've been receiving since 2007. Wake up please!!
J Micallef
Dec 2nd 2008, 11:11
Well said indeed.
This reminds me of infamous 'golden handshake' awards given to the CEOS's of various multinationsals. After having brought their organisations close to bust, they are 'fired' with a very attractive paycheque.
Politicians, who are supposed to 'sacrifice' (Ha!) their career and proession for the good of society also get an allowance (for the rest of their miserable life) if they are successfully elected for - I believe - 3 times.
And no matter what they say - they make good contacts while at it, and no fool is going to believe it that these are going straight to the ETC to register for work when they fail to make it to parliament.
As Mr. Busuttil very well put it, many were underperformers. Rather than giving them this gift, I'd have sent them a bill for the lousy job some of them did.
lgalea
Dec 2nd 2008, 09:57
And in the meantime the pensioners are being cheated of one third of the COLA which is not being added to their pensions so that every year they are losing it.