Jean-Pierre Farrugia opts to renounce raise

Nationalist MP Jean-Pierre Farrugia has renounced the raise which is to be given to MPs.

Lou Bondi said in this evening’s edition of Bondi Plus that Dr Farrugia had told the programme that he did not feel comfortable with such a raise in the current economic situation.

Another Nationalist MP, Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, had previously said he would donate the raise to the Divorce Movement.

Mr Bondi said eight Labour MPs had said they would renounce the increase but 26 Labour MPs had not replied to his e-mail.

Labour leader Joseph Muscat and Deputy leader Anglu Farrugia were among those who renounced the raise.

The proposal will see MPs receiving an annual increase of €7,000 to their honoraria, which currently stands at €19,112.

Dr Jean-Pierre Farrugia had appeared to be undecided when he spoke to The Times earlier this month when the raise became known.

While being non-committal, Dr Farrugia said (December 11) that he had no problem in refusing the raise.

“However, the primary focus should be on the eight parliamentary assistants who are paid like committee chairmen and enjoy free mobile phone usage. Some do not even attend Parliament most of the time, which makes me ask what they have done to justify their appointment,” he said.

The newspaper had reported how many MPs were in a quandary, not knowing whether to accept it or not.

See

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20101211/local/several-reject-raise-others-unsure

Lou Bondi said he had also questioned Mayors, who will also receive a raise. Only one, Labour Mayor Alfred Grixti (Zebbug) had said he would renounce the raise.

Local Council Association president Michael Cohen said this raise had come as a surprise and many mayors had still not made up their mind.