Labour MPs learnt of raise from PQ
Labour MPs got to know about a backdated increase to their parliamentary honoraria only yesterday through a parliamentary question, a spokesman for the Labour Party said this afternoon.
He was reacting to a report in this website that the honoraria of MPs has been raised from 50% of pay scale 1 of the civil service, to 70%. The increase is backdated to March 2008 and the increases still have to be issued by the House of Representatives.
The information was given by Finance Minister Tonio Fenech in reply to a question by Labour MP Leo Brincat about ministerial pay.
"This was a Cabinet decision, and the Labour MPs only learnt about if from the parliamentary question," the spokesman said.
Asked if the MPs would accept the increase, the spokesman said this still had to be discussed.
In his reply to Mr Brincat's question, Mr Fenech said that Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries have started to be paid their parliamentary honorarium along with their ministerial salaries, because whereas MPs could keep their jobs and still receive their honorarium, ministers and parliamentary secretaries could not have private jobs.
He also revealed that the honoraria to all MPs had been raised.
The minister said that the Cabinet, on May 5, 2008, decided that the Prime Minister, Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, the Speaker and the Leader of the Opposition would no longer lose the honoraria paid to MPs.
Therefore, as from this legislature, the honoraria was being given to all MPs (even if they were ministers of parliamentary secretaries).
Should the Speaker opt to keep his ordinary job, he would lose the honorarium.
Mr Fenech said the honoraria had also been revised and had risen from 50% of pay scale 1 to 70% (Pay scale one is €38,183). The difference in the honoraria from the old rate is in the process of being implemented and will be backdated to March 12, 2008.
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Brian Blackburn
Dec 11th 2010, 16:09
This substantial increase in the MP 's wage packet is horrendous and unacceptable. The general public has to accept Euro 1.16c pay increase for the year 2011 and the ministers are going to receive 20% increase on top of all other benefits that they receive.
The government is creating a two tier country, the rich get richer and poor even poorer. Should it not re-evaluate this increase considering that there is a world recession, we are not out of it yet.
The increase of 1.16 euro has already been taken up by the increase of 1.40 euro on a gas cylinder alone besides the extra increase of fuel, electricity and water. Wouldn't it be better to share the 4 million amongst the old aged pensioners.
BrianB
Frans Attard
Dec 10th 2010, 19:39
Jaf bijha din iz-zieda l-Gvernatur tal-Bank Centrali?
John AzzopardI
Dec 10th 2010, 11:33
I am sure labour knew about the raises. Nothing is secret in Malta. What is incredible is that the world is going through such an economic crisis and people are not getting any raises right here in Malta and these individuals are voting themselves such a hugh raise. Where is the decency. Don't these people realize that the government is voted in by the people and there should be more responsibility as to how much they pay themselves so that their salaries are not too high. Recently also read about our Central Bank chairman where it says that he is one of the top 10 central bank money makers (over $200,000), well above what the US Federal Reserve Chairman, Mr. Ben Bernakee makes. Malta seems to be squandaring it's people's money and creating a large difference in salary scales. Don't politicians know that this will eventaully mean danger between the social classes.
joanna farrugia
Dec 10th 2010, 05:41
@ karl abela seems you only see net news cos if you dont know pl refused the raise now did your beloved gonzipn do the same thing?
c.camilleri
Dec 9th 2010, 17:08
Hekk sew Sur Prim Ministru ta' PAR IDEJN SODI' U FINANZI FIS-SOD' Mela is-sussidju li frankajt mid-Dockyard flok uzajthom ghall bzonnijiet tal-pajjiz wasaltu biex tehduhom inthom u biex ma' tidhrux koroh qed tghidu li anke lil tal-oppozzizjoni tajtuhom xi haga. Tant ridtu tahbu minn dan li lanqas ghidtu ta' x'hiex qed tehduhom dawn il-flus, ghax nghid jien il-hajja gholiet ghal kulhadd l-istess suppost. Hallejtu sentejn u nofs biex sar jaf il-poplu b'dan wara li tant ilkom tghidulu jghamel is-saggrifficcji minnhabba id-dejn tal-pajjiz u r-reccissjoni globali tad-dinja. Veru wiehed irid ikun wiccu bla zejt biex japprova haga bhal din. Kellu bzonn kien ghadu izghar Dom Mintoff ha kien jghidilkom fejn hi s-sencerita u min hu veru Gvern tal-HADDIEM !!!!!!!. Issa naraw biex hiereg b'ta l-AIR MALTA. Veru mghandniex Gvern ta' rieda tajba li suppost ikollna, iktar w'iktar fi zmien il-MILIED.
C Zammit
Dec 9th 2010, 17:03
Din id-darba ma nahsibx li JPO u shabu se jissuggerixxi xi referendum biex niddecidu dwar din iz-zieda!
Karl Abela
Dec 9th 2010, 15:29
Labour MP's will be double faced if they accept this increase. All they want is you vote and thrash you like toilet paper.
J. Mifsud
Dec 9th 2010, 16:12
If you want to be taken seriously, first and foremost, you should have addressed your frustration to the people governing these once beautiful Islands. It was them who gave themselves thousands of Euro a year in increases.
It is them who have brought the middle-class on its knees, demanding sacrifice after sacrifice, whereas they live like kings.
I applaud Ms Marie Louis Coleiro Preca who recently said that she will refuse the four yearly airline tickets from Air Malta as a sign of goodwill to the sorry fiancial state that the airline is in, due to no fault of its employees.
I hope that UHM & GWU will demand a hefty wage increase, (as these reflects on the pension later on) in the next collective agreements, especially when dealing with the government.
Clayton Borg
Dec 9th 2010, 13:52
serjament kont qed nahseb li fl elezjoni li jmiss nivvota labour . Jekk nisma li accettaw din iz zieda : il vot jerga jibqa ezatt fejn dak ta sentejn ilu : fl iktar post prominenti tal vetrina ta' l intrata : bla zejt f wicckom !
A.Gauci Cunningham
Dec 9th 2010, 20:32
J.Muscat m'accettax din iz-zieda....s'issa 5 MPs minn naha tal-PL qalu li m'accettawx din iz-zieda lanqas.
e.grech
Dec 9th 2010, 11:40
Ngorru kemm ingorru, poplu gwejjed nibqu!
franza ghax haseb li se jghollilhom il-penzjoni, il hsieb kien bizejjed biex jinzlu in nies fit toroq u jiprotestaw!
Malta, gholla l'eta tal-pensjoni u hadd ma semma xejn, ta zieda patetika fil-paga u hadd m' ghamel xejn, gholla l-gas u l-fuel u xorta kulhadd baqa jgemgem qisu hamiem u ma gara xejn, issa nafu li waqt li kulhadd qed skomdu, l-MPs qed jiehdu 600 aktar talli... jidhru sbieh fuq it-tv? u jigu misjuqa go karozzi lussuzi? ta' xiex ezatt?
imma issa ngergru naqra ohra, u tintesa wkoll, u kollox jibqa' kif inhu!
Maria Borg
Dec 9th 2010, 10:52
Jiena mhux ser nivvota izjed .Isthu jekk tafhu tisthu.Tghid ta min kienet din l-idea brillanti?
RAY bARBY
Dec 9th 2010, 10:47
well pepople here we are gambling as always and they are all with belly full and we have to work more . viva il l... haddiem . and next year they will say that we are in debt and need EU assistance like Ireland . f... y .. as a good will to all in parlament - do NOT HAVE THIS ADDED PAY AND SHARE IT WITH US TA ... HEKK
EHH FEJN INT JA DOM MINTOFF MALTA INT BISS KONT
c. caruana
Dec 9th 2010, 10:46
These are all honourable men. In times of austerity for the hoi polloi, they will enhance their honour by a 600 euro weekly pay rise. For these are honourable men, so much so that they kept the rise hidden for two years out of sensitivity for the feelings of the electorate. Honour dictated that they suddenly reveal to the honourable men on the opposite benches that their honorarium was also raised, for the sake of fairness and equity no doubt. These onorevoli know that the country’s economy can’t afford any tax rate cuts for thousands of workers, but would several self-awarded million Euros make that much of a difference during times of global recession? After all, their code of honour is based on that immortal dictum: ‘Everybody is equal, but some are more equal than others.’ For these are all honourable men.
micallef a.
Dec 9th 2010, 10:33
IMbghad nghidu ma irridux il-kummiedja f- Malta !! Il-kummiedja kienet u qieghdha
Malta PERMANENTI il-belft Valetta. Il-poplu huwa l-annimal li jaqla bil frosta.
Malcolm Mifsud
Dec 9th 2010, 10:28
Nahseb ghax ghola l-prezz tal-gass, imsieken. Possibli ghad ghandkom wicc tidhru quddiem in-nies?
Evarist Saliba
Dec 9th 2010, 10:27
Am I mising something? There must have been two budget debates in parliament since this decision was taken. Was the decision hidden from parliament or overlooked?
I refrain from passing judgement on the justification of the increase since I do believe that if you pay with peanuts you are bound to get monkey business, but if the decision-takers are convinced of the justification of their action they should have the courage to say so rather than keeping the public in the dark.
Stefan Farrugia
Dec 9th 2010, 09:46
How can this be justified??? The whole world is in the midst of a recession & the Gonzi clan decide to increase their salaries at the detriment of the tax payer... Where are your priorities? Airmalta is in the middle of a financial crisis & employees are risking their jobs & the MPs get a salary increase!!! The country is struggling with the PN deficit & the man in the street tries to make ends meet by paying all the bills, taxes & your salaries!
What about the increase in National Insurance?
http://www.maltastar.com/pages/r1/ms10dart.asp?a=13166
The little disposable income that i had will now be delegated to paying more taxes & these salary increases!!! This is a party with no conscience whatsoever....
J Grima
Dec 9th 2010, 08:52
I presume that minutes are kept of what is discussed and approved during Cabinet meetings. If such increase was approved during a Cabinet meeting two and a half years ago did they not take action of what was approved during that particular Cabinet meeting?
Sandro Cremona
Dec 9th 2010, 08:51
Jien hiereg ghal elezzjoni!!! jek nitla ingawdi u jek le il partit xorta jiehu hsiebi u jhattarmni xi direttur jew xi ambaxxatur..jew political appointment.... nothing to lose.. thajjru l-ahwa... xejn xejn naqlawlom panic..
Joe E Galea
Dec 9th 2010, 08:36
Ara dal-Gvern bla skruplu ta' xejn. Mela lill-Ministri ziedhom E600 fil-gimgha u biex jaghlaq halq l-oppozizzjoni zied lill-MP's kollha. Lilna l-haddiema ta' veru (u mhux qatta' kummidjanti li jmorru l-Parlament jahlu l-hin, jew jorqdu) tana E1.16. Mela hawn din il-krizi kollha u huma jkomplu jhaxxnu buthom minn fuq dahrna. Ara lilna se jzidilna l-bolla jerga', biex zgur ikompli jsallabna. Veru pajjiz bla sens immexxi minn Gvern bla sinsla, bla skop, bla kuxjenza u bla direzzjoni. TAL-MISTHIJA.
c.camilleri
Dec 9th 2010, 08:30
That's right, because they want to make sure that there is enough for them. They have big mouths and bellies.
r.camilleri
Dec 9th 2010, 08:15
Eh !!!! hasbulu ghal l-gholi tal- fuel, Gas , Dawl u ilma . Ghalhekk ma' jgergrux u qiesu mhu qed jigri xejn. Kollha bix-xugaman jidhlu fil-parlament biex jixxuttaw l-gharaq imsieken. Miskien il-poplu li qed jafda lil dawn in-nies immexxuh minn imnihru. Mela dawn mhux minn flus il-poplu qed jithallsu jew !!!!!!!!!. Imbaghad jigi jghidilna l-Prim Gonzi biex nghamlu s-saggrifficji ghax il-pajjiz ghandu hafna dejn, u jipprova jghati t-tort ghax id-dinja ghaddejja minn krizi miskin, meta part mill - krizi qed johloqha hu bit-tmexxija ' Ta Finanzi fis-Sod' u par idejn sodi. Hemm bzonn jitghallem il-poplu u ma' jinshiex kif mexxewh lil dan il-pajjiz, mhux dejjem iccapcpulu . Ma' jippretendhux li ntuwhom xi rigal tal-Milied ukoll U !!!!!!!!!!!!
c.camilleri
Dec 9th 2010, 07:53
Kif ma jisthux jidhru quddiem il-poplu dawn in-nies meta lil haddiem ituh il-loqqom 1.16 euro u saggrifficji ohra ta' awsterita fuq il-postijiet tax-xoghol u huma jiehdu 600 euro zjieda fil-gimgha. X'ma jkollniex Deficit f'dan il-pajjiz. Dak ezempju li qed jghatu. X'ma jkollhomx Milied hieni dawn - l - ewwel zaqqhom imbaghad jekk jibqa jiehu l-haddiem.
A. Borg
Dec 9th 2010, 06:28
Konna ghadna u nibqghu pajjiz tal-Mickey Mouse fejn ta fuq jigbdu l-ispaga u ahna l-pupazzi inkantaw................. Kien hemm min minnhom irrifjuta z-zieda?
joanna farrugia
Dec 9th 2010, 05:37
@ James Dimech tahseb int li gonzipn kien ha jghid kemm hadu zieda? jekk tirrispondi bl onesta ghal din id domanda tkun taf minn hu ipokrita
Malcolm Felix
Dec 9th 2010, 01:09
They are preparing themselves, they are predicting that they will be in opposition!
MBorg
Dec 8th 2010, 20:26
So ? What is going to happen now ? Are any of the MPs going to vote against this backdated increase to their parliamantary honoraria ?
Labour MPs are always going on about the measly COLA given this year, are they going to refuse this increase ? Time will tell.
Alex Brincat
Dec 8th 2010, 19:01
@ Lawrence Gonzi: You get your pay rise, we get the 10% tax cut you promised.
Deal?
Joe E galea
Dec 9th 2010, 08:44
@A. Brincat: Let me guess the Gonzi reply: We keep our pay rises. You won't get 10% tax cut, but you will get a raise of another 5% in National Insurance over 3 years. After the Budget I ahve raised all the fuels, so the Cola have been sucked up by far, far and away, much more before you are given the miserable COLA.
Pat Hobson
Dec 8th 2010, 18:58
Conspiracy Theory!???? I suspect this is a ploy by the PN government to muzzle the PL opposition indirectly by given the PL MP's a raise. Why this happened after Joseph Muscat uncovered the truth behind the raise in the PN MP's wages? Something stinks, and it's not fish!!!
c.cefai
Dec 8th 2010, 18:33
Heqq! fejn jihlu l-flus kolla jaqblu; ma hemmx gvern u oppozizzjoni; ghax ma jiehdux l-ezempju tal prim ministru irlandiz fejn se jnaqqas is-salarju tieghu b'14000 euro!!!
joe falzon
Dec 8th 2010, 18:11
a minister cannot have a private job, so says the article. but with the salary they're getting ---- and having just received 600 euros a week raise --- what the heck do they need a private job for?...........
joe camilleri
Dec 8th 2010, 18:06
A good logical decision in a democratic country.Why do you get penalised when you are appointed a minister? Mp's keep their jobs and earn their money,why should a minister be penalised?The country needs the best men/woman to make progress.Unless it is well paid only mediocre persons will be attracted
F Galea
Dec 8th 2010, 18:00
I have read all the comments made by your readers!
Note that besides their proposed obsene increases they will all get a FULL TWO-THIRDS PENSION at age 61 and meanwhile pay a LESSER NATIONAL INSURANCE rate than us!
I propose that a non-partisan NATION WIDE PETITION is organised demanding that this OBESENE INCREASE IS SCRAPPED.
The people DO HAVE THE POWER if they want it.
Any volunteers?
anton portelli
Dec 8th 2010, 17:51
THE ISLAND IS IN THE RED TO THE TUNE OF 5BILLION AND THEY GET A RISE.
FINANZI FIS -SOD MY A.................
E. Azzopardi
Dec 8th 2010, 17:42
Don't tell me that the Honourable Gentleman is complaining? How can one complain at such a pleasant surprise?
Then what should those getting €1.16 a week, that is €60.32 a year do, scream their heads off?
c. camilleri
Dec 8th 2010, 17:33
While everyone agrees that this is not the opportune time for any increases in salaries, especially for our MPs we still have to wait and see if the opposition will refuse this extra money.
Gonzi should have foreseen the consequences of such a move at these turbulence times.
Or is everyone going nuts.
JOE BOUVET
Dec 8th 2010, 17:26
how come they keep there own wage increases a secret, are they ashamed of it. A 20% increase in these situatution when we the poor lot get just 1eur. I hope that we will not learn that they are tax free also. come next election MP s please vote for youselves
A Attard
Dec 9th 2010, 10:23
You are mistaken.
Not 20 % increase but 40 % increase.
Before they used to take 50 % of scale 1 Salary.
Now they take 70 % of scale 1 salary (€38183
They used to take €19092
Now they pocket €26728, Honoraria 40% more.
Besides MP salaries ect, ect. ect.
And €1.16/ Wk for the slaves.
Is it true that the last president has 4 pensions.
Like tas - servizzi ???
JOHN PISANI
Dec 8th 2010, 17:26
FLIMKIEN KOLLOX POSSIBLI.... Jekk mhux sejjer zbaljat dan se jkun rigal ta’ hemmmmmmmmm €80,000 kull wiehed hux????? Iktar minn €5 miljuni bejniethom.
Mela sewwa kkalkula Gonzi li €1.16 BISS JISTA' JAGHTI LILNA L-HADDIEMA LI QED INHALLSU -TAXXI KOLLHA, IL-KONTIJIET KOLLHA.
Ic-cucata li ma naffordjax nixtri frame ghall-vot meta jasal u jkolli nhallih fil-kexxun vojt.
JOHN PISANI
Dec 8th 2010, 17:21
Me too fbonnello. I love my dog then all of the MPs especially on the Govt side that gave me only €1.16 a week raise asr from January 1st 2011. Oh by the way my dog died 8 years ago...... but I still love him more.
victor pulis
Dec 8th 2010, 16:55
ministers and parliamentary secretaries could not have private jobs.
So what do we do? we issue them with a salary for a job they're not doing. These 'Honorables' enjoy all the fringe benefits that go with their job. I'd like to know where they spend their salaries.
Meanwhile my child's allowance has been reduced to the minimum in order to give the children's allowance to all families irrespective if one is a millionaire or a salaried worker like me.
Walter Joseph Attard
Dec 9th 2010, 21:02
Victor you are right...issa hadd ma jaghti kasna.......dak iz zmien li tivotta u jafuhulek insih! Issa ivvota ghal l ahjar jew ghal ghar! Ma hemx triq tan nofs! Kulhadd jistmak XXXXXXX. Jekk dawn haqhom zieda, ahna le! L allowances nezlin u daqt ma nehdu xejn aktar!
A Attard
Dec 8th 2010, 16:34
Money no problem attitude still reigns.
I wonder how those 5 billion Euro invested in Malta ??? are going to be paid back.
At least one is for sure, the Maltese do not need to subsidise any more the Malta Drydocks.
The island is now surely making a lot of progress and all are living happily comfortably!!!!!
€1.16 pay rise per week ???????
Darren J. Galea
Dec 8th 2010, 16:15
It's good to be king.
J. Mifsud
Dec 8th 2010, 16:12
@ To ALL PARLIAMENTARIANS
Can you please inform us mortals if anyone of you have refused the yearly four free airline tickets that Air Malta is obliged to hand over to your goodselves??
So far I only know of Ms Marie Louise Coleiro Preca who said that she is refusing these freebies.
Illuminate us please!!!!!
J. Mifsud
Dec 8th 2010, 16:05
@ UHM & GWU
Wakey Wakey!!!
I hope that you do not accept peanuts, now, that the public service collective agreement is being discussed. If you will let yourselves be led by the nose by the government, then I will urge all public service employees to refrain from paying the unions' fee next time round. It will be useless being part of these unions; a house-union will make more sense.
Our wages are in a pitiful state, especially now that we are paying through our noses for all bills, gas, petrol, you name it.
What's good for the goose is good for the gander.......
UHM, GWU..... show us employees what you are made of!!
D.Farrugia
Dec 8th 2010, 15:17
Then that's why for us kindergarten assistants with over 30 years experience and ready from the required course,the education department is taking too long to progress our salary grade from scale 13.Why?Because the MPs got everything and there's nothing left for us.Charity begins at home [in parliament]!
c.camilleri
Dec 9th 2010, 08:23
That's right, because they want to make sure that there is enough for them. They have big mouths and bellies.
sgalea
Dec 8th 2010, 15:14
Go and say this to the marines! Anyway, what is the next reaction? Do both parties agree to this?
vincent vella
Dec 8th 2010, 15:14
Shameful !!
But, why should they be ashamed to face the people ......we worship the Blue/Red politicians.............Let us all get our own back at them by voting AD in the next election............come on now. Will you?
Charles Micallef
Dec 8th 2010, 15:06
€1 16c for people living on a basic wages and the pensioners and 20% increase pay on scale 1 of the civil service and backdated to March 2008 for our representatives, what a generous nation!
john vella
Dec 8th 2010, 15:05
When I was young and used to go to the Catholic Action they used to teach us: ''WHAT IS THE USE IF ONE GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD AND LOOSE HIS SOUL''. Well Mr. Prim Minister I guess you can not have it both ways. Money is sweet after all, as for us we only have one choice to look after our souls. I guess! HA!
C. S. Cachia
Dec 8th 2010, 15:05
Dawk kollha li xi darba kienu ministri, imsieken kollha marru jittalbu meta ma baqghux ministri ghax il-minisri ma jzommux/jippratikkawx ix-xoghol taghhom!! Forsi fl-ahhar ahna l-Maltin nitghallmu!
Frans Attard
Dec 8th 2010, 14:46
Il-kbira hi li dawn, barra li jithalsu tajjeb iridu min jincenshom ukoll (biex ma nghidx xi haga ohra) ghax jippretendu li qieghdin jaghmlulna xi pjacir.
j xerri
Dec 8th 2010, 14:43
How come that MP's were told (of course indirectly though a PQ) that they have been awarded a honaria raise two years after the cabinet took this decision? How come that while Ministers are already being paid this increase in their salaries, MP's are not? It's a pity that the Cabinet Minutes are secret and we cannot learn more about who proposed the raise and why and who decided that this raise would be kept secret for almost two years.
Evarist Saliba
Dec 8th 2010, 14:43
While I understand your frustration, by not voting you will only give more freedom to politicians to go on doing what you do not like.
Kevin Zammit
Dec 8th 2010, 14:42
I am pleased with all the comments below. Evidently there is a large section that can think. Problem with these politicians is that they can still get elected thanks to the single minded masses.
I am not in favor of ending up up with 3 parties cause that would weaken government but I do think it is high time we start voting in the individual not the party.
I suggest the following pattern:
1. Vote for the person that works for his/her locality irrespective if s/he does you a personal favor. Obviously it would help for you to remember that nobody owes you anything but your rights are sacrosanct and your representative duty to ensure you have full access to what is yours by right.
2. In the absence of anyone falling under 1 above then vote for the new comer. Everyone should be given a chance to perform and five years is good enough to prove oneself.
3. (This is mostly a personal opinion but welcome to subscribe) Vote for the member that requires a reduction in the number of MPs. We have too many per capita and our GDP is not improving anyways.
Stephen Koludrovic
Dec 8th 2010, 18:00
There is definitely need for a radical reform in our voting system.
5 Years is by far too long, 3 years like Sweden or at maximum 4 years like the USA.
Scarping the electoral districts, just one district for the whole island. This would stop the two major parties from having a monopoly on power.
All major issues to be decided by referendums which is the most democratic system as already proven by the Swiss.
J.Tonna
Dec 8th 2010, 14:34
'Asked if the MPs would accept the increase, the (PL) spokesman said this still had to be discussed.'
So why all this fuss, we are not sure if they are going to accept it or not.
Just wait and see.
n xuereb
Dec 8th 2010, 14:34
and the fools keep cheering them... idiots! just get out of parliament all of you. We need new blood on both sides!
M Lia
Dec 8th 2010, 14:30
Politicians are not stupid. In two years time nobody will mention this subject, everything will be forgotten and we will only talk and argue about issues they feed us.
And they know this. The past has proved this time and time again.
Probably no body will mention this in a month or two.
Its perfect timing from their point of view.
Eric Psaila
Dec 8th 2010, 14:25
@gonzipn How dare you propose such increases when the rest of the population is being asked to make sacrifices.
Are you really a party which holds Christian values? I don't think so. Unbelievable. Enjoy it whilst the rest of us have to struggle to make both ends meet.
C A Camilleri
Dec 8th 2010, 14:14
Don't vote, it just encourages them - Billy Connolly. Priceless.
fbonello
Dec 8th 2010, 14:08
The more I see of men or better still Mp's, the more I admire my dog !!
Robert Agius
Dec 8th 2010, 15:48
Lol. Well put!
George Camilleri
Dec 8th 2010, 16:43
Good one !! I admire my cat :-)
michael fenech
Dec 8th 2010, 14:05
This was a Cabinet decision, and the Labour MPs only learnt about if from the parliamentary question," the spokesman said.
It seems that a lot of people do not understand that Labour MPs had absolutely no saying in this, Labour MPs are not present at Cabinet Meetings, ONLY PN.
joe cutajar
Dec 8th 2010, 14:01
GHARUCASA!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHAT A SHAME. DOES THE CABINET KNOW WHO MUCH IS THE RISE THAT
THE COMMEN PEOPLE HAVE FOR THE COST OF LIVING?
DO THEY KNOW, WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT THE ECONOMY AND THE HIGH DEFICET?
Robert Callus
Dec 8th 2010, 13:59
Stop this madness - before it gets ugly. You can't keep on taking people for granted:
http://robertcallus.wordpress.com/2010/12/08/europe-in-flames-preventing-civil-unrest/
N. Bonello
Dec 8th 2010, 13:53
As Marie-Antoinette said "Let them eat cake".
The usual interpretation of the phrase is that Marie-Antoinette (or in our case our MP's) understand little about the plight of the poor (yes, i count myself in here) and cared even less.
I will not vote for ANYONE who gives me a EUR1.16 pay rise then at the same time gives themselves and their 'mortal enemies' a pay rise 100's of times more then that.
I will not vote for ANYONE who will have me wait longer to be entitled to a pension and then eventually get less while they vote themselves more.
Then after these self manufactured pay rises they actually want me (through taxes) to also now pay for their election campaign ! I think they are realising that they cannot milk the gullible people (even business) to finance their election campaigns any more as they killed the cow.
Whatever happened to 'Government for the people by the people’?
At the end of the day they are the people who got us into this mess and they have the power to reward themselves.
Joseph Borg
Dec 8th 2010, 13:46
Mela hekk sewwa. Il poplu malti bahnan u skuzawni nghid il kelma injorant ukoll.
Il poplu ghandu jipprotesta billi fl-elezjoni generali jivvutaw ghal candidati godda. Ghalmenu haddiehor ikollu cans bhalhom jibilhu kollox u mhux inhallu listes nies jerdu ghomorhom kollu U xi haga ghal knisja ukoll nixtieq nghid li hi ghanda dritt sagrosant li wkoll tiprotesta mal gvern meta tara li ghawn hafna famiji qedin ibatu u il membri parlamentari iktar ma jghowmu fil liri iktar iridu. Fejn huma il valuri insara li tiftahar bihom Mr. MalteseGovernment?
Anthony Cardona
Dec 8th 2010, 13:32
I am still surprised why all these blatant comments when each and every one of us know that these things happen on daily basis. This is just the cherry on the cake. There are individuals who hold highly paid-up jobs (despite not being qualified) within governmental positions and these also get their increases, there are governmental consultants that also get further roles to get additional increases, there are individuals that despite not being in governmental spheres manage to mushroom corporate entities to handle governmental contracts and these also manage to get increases... my question is 'would there be an end to this?' the answer is till we have a nationalist shepherd (who does not give a hoot of his grass roots) and a socialist flock (that is physiologically abused by its leader) that follows, things will always be the same.
Joseph Bartolo
Dec 8th 2010, 13:29
Its time to Follow Mr David Ickes Wise and Uplifting Words :
People get off your knees - The Lion sleeps no more.
The Lion is the symbol of courage - WAKE UP People, They are few and We are many, lets reclaim our rights and power Together. For Together we make the few that ruin or lives, come back to earth and give in.
Stephen Koludrovic
Dec 8th 2010, 13:23
Yesterday watching sky news I heard that the Irish government to help offset their budget crisis cut their Ministers salaries with about 10%.
Today I hear that our ministers and MPS are upping theirs. It goes to show that there are two different ways in solving any economic crisis in a country.
LEO ATTARD
Dec 8th 2010, 13:13
@A Falzon.......hey, i cant afford the kids!!!!
joe falzon
Dec 8th 2010, 13:12
and the education dept is refusing to give me the difference in allowances that were unjustly witheld, backdated to 1996.......they dont take long in increasing the bulge in their already over-bulging pockets!!!..............
THE FLAG OF DEMOCRACY
ONCE WAVED PROUD AND HIGH,
BUT NOW THE FLAG
IS NO MORE TO BE SEEN --
TELL ME: WHEN DID IT DIE?
Leon Scerri
Dec 8th 2010, 13:09
Didn’t the leader of the Opposition state a few days ago that, if elected, he and his ministers will forfeit (surrender) the 600 Euro per week rise in the Ministers’ salary or honoraria the PN granted recently!
In consideration of this, is it fair to state that both parties are the same and both deserve our opprobrium?
This outrageously shameful largess or liberality with our hard earned money emanates from GonziPN and therefore only the PN should be solely chastised for this gross indiscretion and insensitivity to the plight of so many cash strapped families.
The cabinet ought to postpone these rises until better times prevail!
Such a move would gain everybody’s respect, which after all the people’s representatives deserve.
Al. Muscat
Dec 8th 2010, 13:07
Can anyone update me as to how an MP's pension is worked out? Why should it be different from Joe Citizen's? This information is neither voluntarily given nor easy to get. Some "mission" indeed!!!
Adriano Spiteri
Dec 8th 2010, 13:07
PART 1
Political parties have become opportunist magnets. In General the ones elected are popular but far from fit to serve.
Most of today's politicians are insatiable. Speaking to most of them would convince you they're not even able to hold a conversation - let alone speak in our name. But they promised - and the gullible believed them! De Maistre once stated 'Every country gets the Government it deserves' and he's vindicated in every election.
The wage revision is just a tinge of arrogance that this opportunist bunch masters unabashed.
Politics and Power go together. So does Money and Power it seems.
Why all this fuss about party funding after all?
Is it insurance for the two ideologically-dead pop-parties we have? It's far easier to stop opponents from contesting rather than compete with them.
Is it to prevent future fouls and blunders such as the last MEP elections during which the electoral law was blatantly broken?
The pay rise is an unimportant issue. What we are witnessing is a usurpation of democracy by its own elected guardians.
Adriano Spiteri
Dec 8th 2010, 13:07
PART 2
Commenting without providing a viable solution is a waste of time.
We are living in a difficult period and it is evident that while other European Governments introduce austerity measures, our MPs do their utmost to get more pay for their nuisance and unaccountability. Yet they go on playing their game at their own rules and on their own playfields. The Power Station project, Mater Dei, The Valletta Project.
One cannot think of the projects I mentioned as mere problems per-se. They are the effects of. Should one delve deep into the roots of the causes of our Governmental problems, he should come to the logical conclusion that this country needs a Radical change. One that the pop-parties cannot dream of promising neither dare accomplish.
Adriano Spiteri
Dec 8th 2010, 13:06
PART 3
The People should stop supporting the insincere and the greedy and instead start discussing their own views openly, making sure that the controlled media is not affecting their discernment. People will come up with sound visions and ideas once they start thinking the Radical way. Pop-parties will have to do the talk in sync with the People's walk.
Such an atmosphere would encourage Valid ones to step forth. At that crucial moment one should listen to their Ideas and vote according to the message not the messenger.
The electorate cannot wait for change nor trust those who promise it. It has to overcome the inertia and sends the ball rolling down the hill. For Change doesn't come, it starts within.
Joan Muscat
Dec 8th 2010, 13:06
For me this move means only one thing - they are telling us that they are better than us mere citizens. This is the ultimate in arrogance.
michael fenech
Dec 8th 2010, 13:05
As usual people, come election time all this will be forgotten. Come last budget as always they throw some goodies at us like they have been doing the last 20 years and we all go out there fight for them and put them back in their nice cozy job. Happy Christmas to All.
leo attard
Dec 8th 2010, 13:03
@Ray Borg...for your info the country is already in deep poo!
@P Cassar...it's 1.16 euros...dont forget that .16! Have you invested it?
David Aquilina
Dec 8th 2010, 13:02
gharukaza! kieku jien nisthi nuri wicci quddiem il-poplu! ahna bil-mizerja ta €1.16! min fis-sakra u min mejjet ghal qatra! vera gharukaza!
H Chetcuti
Dec 8th 2010, 16:48
David . . . having said that, who will you be voting in two years time? blue or red? It's your vote that they want , and you will be congratulating and praising them if you vote, blue or red. Imbaghad lil min haqqna nghidu gharukaza? LILNA LI NIVVUTAWLHOM
Anthony V Falzon
Dec 8th 2010, 13:02
MPs vote to raise their own compensation a day after Malta opposed extending EU maternity leave benefits citing to the current economic recession. Bad political timing? Evidence of the political class being totally out of touch with how this "news" would play with their electorate? One shakes one's head in disbelief!
J Borg
Dec 8th 2010, 12:54
What more can one add !!!???? It pays to be a Minister !!!!! And we citizens pay for it !!! What a farce !!!!
Carmel Cilia
Dec 8th 2010, 12:53
Here I want to ask a question to the government ministers. All of them. You are concerned because ministers and parliamentary secretaries were not being able to get another paid job besides that of a minister. So the increase to be able to life happily ever after. What about the thirty or so families who earn a living from the kiosks at the bus terminus. Many of them received a threatening letter from Lands demanding back the keys in the first week of January. This without telling them anything on their jobs and future. In January, when the new bus system would start operating in July. What do they care.
Can anybody believe the prime minister when he says that for him even one place of work counts.
This is the christmas present given to these families who have been earning a living there for tens of years. But after all they are expedient not like the ministers who most probably consider workers families as second class citizens.
E. Abela
Dec 8th 2010, 12:52
Wara tant agha mill-Oppozizzjoni fuq din l-ahbar, il-Kap ta' l-Oppozizzjoni Dr. Muscat ser jirrifjutaha din iz-zieda???
Mario Farrugia
Dec 8th 2010, 14:13
Jghidu li "the proof of the pudding is in the eating"
Only time will tell !!!!!
Ray Borg
Dec 8th 2010, 12:46
this country is a joke and the Future is in deep poo. LOL
Christian Ellul
Dec 8th 2010, 13:41
and thats a LOL joke!!
Ray Borg
Dec 8th 2010, 18:52
@Christian Ellul YES
P.Cassar
Dec 8th 2010, 12:45
NOW I KNOW WHY DR. GONZI IS ALWAYS SMILIMG AND SEEING A BRIGHT FUTURE.
THAT 'S HOW CRITICAL VOICES ARE SILENCED.
1 EURO FOR THE MASSES, 600 EUROS FOR THE LOVED ONES.
DRYDOCKS, AIR MALTA, SEA MALTA WORKERS, ETC ETC PLEASE NOTE.
BUT WILL DR GONZI STILL KEEP A STRAIGHT FACE WHEN HE TELL US ABOUT SACRIFICES.
WHAT COMMENTS FROM PN BLOGGGERS OR ARE THEY ALL GRAVY TRAINERS.
NATION OF FOOLS ??????????????
A.Falzon
Dec 8th 2010, 12:45
Great!!!! and I cant afford a christmas present for my kids ...
victor pulis
Dec 8th 2010, 12:44
Seeing that we are going through recession couldn't the cabinet have waited a little longer to implement the raise? it's not as if they were going to suffer hunger on their present salary. The rest of the popultion has been thanked by the PM for making sacrifices. Couldn't the prime minister, the ministers and the parliamentary secretaries join forces with us mere mortals and given their share? The PM is rmembered saying "don't judge us by what we say, judge us by what we do" We are doing just that.
w caruana
Dec 8th 2010, 12:35
Hu go fik a Gahan, injurant kont u injurant tibqa a Poplu Malti, Fl-istorja hakkimuna l-barranin u illum jahkmuna dawn il grieden, min jaf kemm se jitfewquna ghalina dal milied! Sakemm nibq
J. Borg
Dec 8th 2010, 12:32
and most nutheads keep voting them in....
I very much doubt that this general pay rise among political rivals (but friends of pockets) would have even been brought to vote, if AD were part of a coalition government.
This goes to explain why both PN & PL are not at all inclined to change the electoral law - in any way that can hinder the absolute alternating government that they are so confortable with!
J. Schembri
Dec 8th 2010, 13:43
We will be more nut heads if we vote for you! Stick your head out and contest for the next election.
Poor Joseph Cuschieri , he's been out in the cold for quite a long time now.
r spiteri
Dec 8th 2010, 12:31
Issa bl umilta kollha jmisshom Gonzi jaghti li ha jiehu lid dar tal providenza li qabel sar kap tal partit kellu tant ghal qalbu u Muscat imissu jtijhom lill fqar ta Silvio Parnis.Imisskhom tisthu kollha kemm intom.
FB Aquilina
Dec 8th 2010, 12:28
The same people who advocate austerity measures award themselves a backdated payrise. Undseserved to say the least since they lack the creativity of generating an economy without resorting to increasing taxes, tariffs and fees. Hypocrites.
Criss Camilleri
Dec 8th 2010, 12:28
Possibli ghandkom il wicc tiehdu dawn il flus? AND I am referring to both sides.
s.grima
Dec 8th 2010, 12:26
ghal dawk kolla li qedin jejdu li kolla l istess....... imma xi hadd jista jejdli meta xi darba saru dawn il hnizrijt kolla??????????? ejduli meta xi darba f dawn l ahar 40 sena meta il poplu kin masur daqsekk u il politci baqaw adejin bhall lum????? QATT!!!!!!!!! mena mux veru li kolla l istess
Kevin Zammit
Dec 8th 2010, 14:33
Tiprovax tinsinwa habib li xi partit ahjar min iehor ghax Malta kulma ilha indipendenti xi 50 sena. Il hnizrijjiet taht il lejber saru wkoll ... anzi il lejber ta Mintoff u l KMB wrew x'jista jsir. U ta laburist li jien qied nitkellem
s.grima
Dec 8th 2010, 16:15
sihbi jin minix nejdli taht il mlp ma sarux hnizrijit u koruzjoni imma fl ahar x hin nizlu min hemm halew lil malta mifquwa bil liri. mintix qed tajd li xi darba f dawn is snin kolla malta kinet fil qih (fil magor parti ta l oqsma) daqs kem qeda bhal issa ta. koruzjoni dejem ha jibqa ikun hem ghax il bniedem tad den u laham. it trik hu li il poplu ghandu ibidel lil partit fil gvern iktar sikwit. ara l istorja ta malta mil indipendenza l hawn u tkun taf x jin nejd!! u jin qed inkelmek ta citadin li irid nara lil pajizi ahjar!!
marc caruana
Dec 8th 2010, 22:34
joke of the year . int laburist ? hallina my friend iddahakx nies
louis scicluna
Dec 8th 2010, 12:26
Till today, I did not know that our penniless ministers and their poor parliamentary secs. are the worse treated of the lot, in Parliament. I suggest that there should be some form of money collection during Xmas time. Maybe SuperOne and Net can coordinate it hand in hand. U lil Maggoranza tal Poplu Malti ( il haddiem ) tajtuh b" kemm tiswa borza karawett zieda. U xeba FROSTA. Ara veru hawn min ma jafx jisthi. Allura intom tahsbu li ser tkomplu titnejj-- bin nies kollha l hin kollhu ??
adrian vella
Dec 8th 2010, 12:24
Dott Fenech se tedduha ukoll il miserja tal Ewro 1.16 fil gimgha zieda???? Misskhom tisthu!!! Ejjew habbtuli il-bieb sentejn ohra!!!!
Mario Said
Dec 8th 2010, 12:22
U mela!!!!!! Imsieken dawn nies ibatu ta! Dawn nies li lanqas jorqdu daqs kemm ghandhom qalbhom perzuta ghalina, in nies tat-triq! Dawn kwazi temmen li il-kumpens li ghandhom huwa mizeru! Dawn tant huma habrieka li suppost ahna lanqas biss nazzardaw nahsbu hazin fuqhom! Ma tarax!!!!! L-aqwa li kull hames snin nivvutawlom. L-aqwa li kull hames snin inxejru il bandiera u jtuna T-shirt u nilbsuh. L-aqwa li naghmlu hames snin niggieldu ma xulxin u nifirdu il familji minhabba fihom! Sewwa qal min qalilna Gahan Malti
DDalli
Dec 8th 2010, 12:21
You know, you got to hand it to all these MPs. They feed us all the crap we can take, let industries such as ship yards and now Air Malta go down the drain. Hardly any cost of living increase and jack up all the prices, in fuel costs, power, and food.
A pay check can only go so far. And what do they do, in times like these, they give them selves a raise and to boot, they back date it.
And what do we do...............................NOTHING!
Sorry, my mistake, we go and clap and cheer for them. We go to thier meetings to hear thier lies.
There is nothing more I wish to say, except write a letter to your local MP and tell them how discusted you are about thier raises in these troubled times.
c camilleri
Dec 8th 2010, 12:16
hallas ja poplu bahnan u njorant. tinsewx! biex tibqaw bic-cejca u GonziPN ikompli jzid il-pagi tieghu b €600 fil-gimgha morru zommu l-polling boots miftuhin sa nofs il-lejl u tinsewx ittuh in-number ONE!
James Dimech
Dec 8th 2010, 12:38
Sur Camilleri din iz-zieda ghall-MPs Laburisti ukoll. Joseph Muscat, wara li xeba' jghajjar lin-nies fl-amministrazzjoni fuq is-salarji taghhom, ghalaq halqu fuq din.
Ovvjament il-politika tal-PL hija wahda ipokrita.
Joseph Cauchi
Dec 8th 2010, 12:53
@ C. Camilleri,
Correction!
The 600 Euro increase per week is NOT for a single cabinet member but the TOTAL for ALL cabinet members!
So, divide by the number of cabinet members and you’ll have the exact increase of each member!
JC.
R.Gauci
Dec 8th 2010, 14:47
@ Joseph Cauchi
Xorta hadu izjed mill- 1.16 ewro fil-Gimgha zieda tal-C.O.L.A. li hadu certu klassi ta' haddiema !
sandro carr
Dec 8th 2010, 15:19
@ Joseph Dimech u Joseph Cauchi
Nikkwota mil artiklu - "The minister said that the Cabinet, on May 5, 2008, decided that the Prime Minister, Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, the Speaker and the Leader of the Opposition would no longer lose the honoraria paid to MPs."- Mela mhux il- Laburisti kollha ser jibbenefikaw, imma il- kap ta l-oppozizzjoni biss!!
"the honoraria of MPs has been raised from 50% of pay scale 1 of the civil service, to 70%"- jekk tahdimha din tigi tammonta ghall 600 ewro fil gimgha ghall kull ministru/segretarju parlamentari u mhux 600 ewro ghall kullhadd!!
Intom Tafu taqraw jew le? Jew intom in nazzjonalist anke fuq dak li huwa miktub bl-iswed u l-abjad tikdbu? Ergaw aqraw l- artiklu sew bhat tfal iz-zghar, u jekk ma tifmhux ghidu lill xi hadd jispjegalkhom.
"
Kames Dimech
Dec 8th 2010, 17:04
Sur Carr, nahseb li int ghandek bzonn minn jghallmek kif tifhem artiklu.
Dak li hemm miktub iswed fuq l-abjad huwa "Therefore, as from this legislature, the honoraria was being given to all MPs (even if they were ministers of parliamentary secretaries)."
Kull MP ser jehodha din iz-zieda
Ninette Zammit
Dec 8th 2010, 17:17
@sandro carr
The increase is from 50 to 70% of 38,000. so that is a 20% increase of the honoraria - about 7600. that is approximately 600 per MONTH as I work it out not per week. Even so, that's quite a lot
Paul Pace
Dec 8th 2010, 12:16
Fil parlament ma jigbrux fjuri skond Oliver Friggieri. Skond kif hawn miktub jider li fil-parlament il-flus jigbru.
anton portelli
Dec 8th 2010, 12:14
ANIMALS ARE EQUAL TO EACH OTHER,SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS.
GEORGE ORWELL-ANIMAL FARM.
R Gatt
Dec 8th 2010, 12:08
@all haters/complainers.
instead of complaining it would probably do you more good to get off your chair and do some work or grab a book and learn something. if you're not happy with your pay, then do something about it other than complain. having read the measures put into place in the irish budget for 2011 i'd just like to thank our politicians for keeping us out of such a mess so far.
R. Saliba
Dec 8th 2010, 12:45
That's right, go do something else and look away from this huge injustice.
In a country where factory workers have been dropped to 4 day weeks, the MP's get massive rises. In a country where the bigwigs demand that students (their families really) finance their education, MP's kids get first rate access to education financed by the government.
Go back to your den and thank your lucky stars you enough well-off to believe your own comment.
S. Zerafa
Dec 8th 2010, 15:35
@ R Gatt
Bet you are one of the lucky blue-eyed boys!!! ... who gets paid abundantly from our taxes!!! Hallina trid .... tghid mhux ha tigi inti tghidilna li ghandna paga mizera ghax ma naqrawx jew ma nahdmux bizzejjed???!!!!!
R.Gauci
Dec 8th 2010, 15:50
The people in Ireland are in a mess but they still earn a minimum wage of 7.65 euros an hour!
So in which situation are the Maltese people staying with a minimum wage of around 3.50 euros an hour when our cost of living is on the same level of the Irish and I know what I am saying cause I had been living in Ireland for more then 2 years?
And if you had read well the measures of the budget for 2011 in Ireland, the Irish Prime minister and ministers got a huge pay cuts during the last years not huge increases in their salary (not 1.16 euro as the common worker) as in Malta if you want to be honest a mention everything!!
LChircop
Dec 8th 2010, 16:07
Dear R Gatt,
As you referred to Ireland, kindly refer to the link below - it is called leading by example
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20101207/world-news/pm-cuts-salary-in-irish-budget
As for reading books instead of commenting and complaining....puerile
C Zammit
Dec 9th 2010, 17:33
It seems that the MP's are doing something about it!
Franco Farrugia
Dec 8th 2010, 12:01
Kemm niehu gost naqra dawn l-abarijiet! Komplu capcpulhom, ikkanvassjawlhom, u iggieldu ghalihom! :-)
B Briffa
Dec 8th 2010, 14:06
Iddahaqni, kieku Malta mhix fl-EU kont tahdem dak li qed tahdem illum? Irringrazjhom, mhux maqdar biss.
Franco Farrugia
Dec 12th 2010, 22:40
1. Ghadhom kemm infurmawni issa fuq il-kumment bazwi tieghek, sur mbriffa.
2. Niddubita kemm dan huwa l-isem propja tieghek - anke jekk hu hekk, jekk ghandek il-kuragg, uri ismek u kunjomok kollu u mhux bhal dak l-aghar fost il-kodardi, tinheba wara isem fittizju - minn kliemek, imma tinstema' qisek xi wiehed ghajjur ghal dak li kont kapaci naghmel wahdi, minghajr ghajnuna ta' hadd, minghajr ma gbidt l-ispagi u tlabt il-patrocinju ta' hadd, biex wasalt fejn wasalt, bl-gharaq ta' xbini! Kapaci, int, taghmel hekk?
3. Mela allura skont int, ghax il-PN dahhal lil Malta fl-UE - u ncapcaplu talli ghamel dan, mela le? - ghandi nibqa' nilbes nuccali blu bhalma liebes int?
4. Nirrepeti li jien ma kelli bzonn lil hadd biex ninsab fejn ninsab issa. Li ghandi, li dejjem kelli, gibtu bla favuri, bla patrocinji, bla hbieb tal-hbieb ... JIEN BISS!
john vella
Dec 8th 2010, 12:00
My logic tells me there is always two sides to every problem.
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! the BAD thing is we have to take it, as the enlightened with our future dish it to us mortals. The GOOD thing when they came asking for my vote I promise I will give it to the one that will help make a new world record in the Guinness Book of Records for this government, as the one who got the least votes after he governed for ages, and he has a record deficit to show".
It will not be long now, enjoy it while you can PN!
J. Tabone
Dec 8th 2010, 11:58
Who said that the two parties in parliament never agree on anything!!!!
a.muscat
Dec 8th 2010, 12:07
Read carefully - it was the cabinet who decided not parliament...
R. Saliba
Dec 8th 2010, 12:47
@ a.muscat
Read what carefully?
Did the opposition protest in any way?
D. Fenech
Dec 8th 2010, 11:53
Hehehehe... tajba din. Il-poplu kellu ċ-ċans jivvota lil xi partit żgħir li mbagħad ikollu ċ-ċans jikber, u dan iċ-ċans qatt ma ħadu. Possibli mhux tindunaw li dawn it-tnejn fl-istess dgħajsa!? Possibli? Issa tiġi l-elezzjoni, jaqbdu jroxxu xeba bżar u kulħadd jagħma, l-aħmar jibqa' jivvota lill-partit tiegħu għax brainwashed u l-blu jibqa' jivvota lil tiegħu għax brainwashed ukoll. U lil ministri nsaqsuhom aħna, il-poplu qiegħed jagħmel is-sagrifiċċji, allura l-MPs le? Naħseb illi l-MPs huma l-aktar nies li jifilħqu ftit tas-sagrifiċċju, u mhux aħna li naqilgġu miżerja ta' paga fis-siegħa.
Eric Gahn
Dec 8th 2010, 11:50
Kieku tahdmu u tiehdu decizjonijiet tajba fl-interessi tal-poplu nghid jisthilqkhom imma aktar ma jaghaddi zmien iktar qed turu li m'inthom interesati f'xejn hlief fikhom infuskhom u dawk tal-qalba. Kuntratt suspestuz ghal Power Station li hu hazin ghal ambjent, loghob bil-kliem u telf ta hin fuq divorzju u t-trab isweb....u l-poplu jbaghtu socjalment u fizikament. Pero l-hajja ghanda moghod kif trodd lura bl-iktar mghod gustuz u helu.
David Gatt
Dec 8th 2010, 11:47
qisna fi zmien Robin Hood
M Vella
Dec 8th 2010, 12:05
Prosit David ,very well said:)
A Zammit
Dec 8th 2010, 12:12
but with opposite directions!!!
Mark Piscopo
Dec 8th 2010, 11:46
Iva nivvutaw biex nhallsu iktar!!
MICALLEF A.
Dec 8th 2010, 11:46
FLIMKIEN KOLLOX POSSIBLI !! PNPL.
Philip Mangion
Dec 8th 2010, 11:44
Kif ma jisthux ?!! Sentejn ohra ikunu wara l-bieb tieghek biex bil-vot tkun tista tissapotjahom ghal 5 snin ohra jerdghu min fuq dahrna!! F' din ir-ricessjoni li qed itambrulna biha, fejn dejjem jghidu bl-interess nazzjonali, patrjotti immens il-boys. Oqbra imbajda.
A Bezzina
Dec 8th 2010, 11:42
Next headline in the near future could read:-
"All MPs getting pensions backdated to estimated day of their conception in utero"
OR;
"Arterial roads from Parliament to MPs' residences to be used exclusively by the MP's"
The latter a progression from the take over of part of pedestrianized Merchants' Street for MP's parking.
Jenny Fair
Dec 8th 2010, 11:40
And will this 'raised' or 'supplementary' honoraria be in any way tied in to actual parliamentary presnce during sittings? from what i hear, most of the time we have parliamentary monologues which would best be termed soliloquys, since there is just the talker apparently harping on to himself/hereself! Orwellian!!!!!!!
micallef a.
Dec 8th 2010, 11:37
L-URGENZA sabiex ikun hawn aktar minn zewg partiti fil-parlament dejjem
tikber. Fil-parlament ghandha speci ta monarkija, tfal ta tfal ta ex.ministri u
dejjem induru ma l-istess erba minn nies li fejn jaqbel lilhom dejjem jaqblu
u japprovaw. Familji li ilhom jidominaw il-parlament ghal-zmien twil u meta
missierhom jispicca is-siggu jibqa tal-familja. Irridu demm frisk u gdid li
ma jkunx aktar marbut mal-passat ta dawn iz-zewg partiti.
m vella
Dec 8th 2010, 11:33
ivvota gahan Malti
sandro cremona
Dec 8th 2010, 11:47
T parlawx fil vojt... il one Euro mil l-ewwel tas sena kulhadd ha johoda.. bit dritt..
Iggildu ghalijhom ta l-ahwa.. ha jgawdu minn fuqna..
T Gatt
Dec 8th 2010, 11:29
Chi comanda fa la legge. I'm almost 40 years old and have always voted in general elections. The next one will be the first time that I will not vote. And I will never vote again, I'm afraid. I have hundreds of euro deducted from my humble salary every single month, and then I see that those who are one hundred times richer than me, don't even pay as much as I do. So to hell with the system which is on the criminal's side all the time.
R Axisa
Dec 8th 2010, 11:48
I wish to also remind you that not only those richer than you and me pay less tax, but some persons earn an annual salary of more than 100,000 TAX FREE (eg the Governor General of the Central Bank)! This reminds me of the times of Caucescu's reign, where the top lived in extreme comfort, while the common people begged to live!
D Fenech
Dec 8th 2010, 11:26
Are we going to get a backdated pay rise too?
Rose Agius
Dec 8th 2010, 11:24
Everybody else gets 1.16 euro. Actions speak louder than words..nothing else to say....and back dated too by close to 3 years...Do not know how they all are not ashamed to face any of us!
Patrick Bellia
Dec 8th 2010, 11:23
Issa Oqghodu illetikaw hawn u min jghid favur Gonzi u min jghid favur Muscat, mentri jekk toqghod thares ma tantx ghandek fix titfixkel fl ghazla IT TNEJN L ISTESS. Kollha haduha iz zieda kemm ta naha u kemm ta ohra hadd ma rrifjutaha , avolja kullhadd qieghed jaghmel sagrifficcji kbar, min jaf kemm jidhku bina meta noqghodu nilletikaw hawn u nghidu favur wiehed u kontra l iehor u fuq l affarijiet taghhom jifthemu bla nkwiet. Ara ahna li noqghodu nfahhru l wiehed jew l iehor hadna wkoll zieda, hadna 1.16 ewro, hadna z zieda fil gass, u affarijiet ohra. Taf min ghadu ma hax iz zieda li haqqu, dak il haddiem li jahdem qiesu skjav 3.49euro fis sija (Lm1.50) bil hdud u l festi, dak zgur ghandu bzonn iz zieda, imma bilhaqq dak mhux MP, dak haddiem baxx, il Milied u sena t tajba lil kullhadd avolja baqa naqra taz zmien
M.Brincat
Dec 8th 2010, 11:21
Poor John Citizen never had cost of living increases with arrears. Increases announced in the budget speach were immediately swallowed up with the increases in fuel and electricity tariffs just a few days following budget.
Make hay while the sun shines!!!!!! This applies to all members of parliament on both sides of the House of Representatives
Jessica Gatt
Dec 8th 2010, 11:19
Mhux tajjeb!!!!!!!!! we're not in the middle of a recession meta jridu!
john caruana
Dec 8th 2010, 11:10
And then there are people who hotly defend either one side or the other, when at the end of the day they are all on the same side - theirs!!!!!
Anthony Briffa
Dec 8th 2010, 11:27
Will there be a PAC sitting to discuss these increases?
J Curmi
Dec 8th 2010, 11:10
Yes, Minister.....way to go....
Anthony Bugeja
Dec 8th 2010, 11:08
Ministers, Judges and people in positions of responsibility should be very well paid. However there than should be zero tolerance towards corruption. I'd rather have an honest well paid minister than a badly paid highly corrupt one.
K.Anastasi
Dec 8th 2010, 11:18
But what happens when you get well paid and corrupt!
I dont agree with these pay rises, especially in these times.. MP need to lead by example...but not in Malta.
I M Dingli
Dec 8th 2010, 11:01
Hallas poplu hallas!!
Adrian Sciberras
Dec 8th 2010, 10:58
i want to be an MP
A. Attard
Dec 8th 2010, 11:23
so do i ! so do i ! so do i !!!!!!!! any side will do!!!! :)
J Micallef
Dec 8th 2010, 11:46
Same here :) would be great - shall we form a party of some sort and hit the next elections? :P
s.koludrovic
Dec 8th 2010, 12:01
Who cares which side you,re on, so long as you,re there. Happy Christmas to all 69 MPS.
Christian Ellul
Dec 8th 2010, 13:41
then work for it!
C. S. Cachia
Dec 8th 2010, 10:57
Imma ahna l-haddiema b'zjieda mizera ta' ewro u sittax-il centezmu li assolutament mhumiex bizzejjed lanqas ghaz-zjieda fil-prezzijiet tal-fuel, ahseb u ara ghall-gholi tal-hajja in generali!
M. Zammit
Dec 8th 2010, 10:55
Did I miss the bit about the honoraria being linked to attendance at parliamentary sittings? MP's who don't attend full parliamentary sessions should have their honoraria deducted accordingly.
After all we humble citizens who pay the honoraria don't get paid if we don't go to work!