Muscat slams 'compromise at taxpayers' expense'
Updated - Adds Prime Minister's reply to Opposition leader's questions:
Opposition leader Joseph Muscat said this evening that the government was seeking a compromise at the people's expense on the issue of ministerial and MPs' pay.
Speaking in Parliament, Dr Muscat said a statement by the Prime Minister this evening about ministerial and MPs' pay was 30 months too late.
He said that although ministers would refund part of the honoraria they had been paid since 2008 (a total refund of €14,000), this only meant that they would still enjoy a double pay - the ministerial salary and the honorarium of €19,000 annually. Instead of a €600 increase a week, they would receive €500 a week.
This, he said, was a compromise the people would pay for.
The changes the prime minister had announced were merely motivated by fear that the government would lose a vote in the House.
Dr Muscat insisted that the Opposition never agreed with the increases. He himself, as Leader of the Opposition, was never told that he was to be paid his honorarium along with his salary as Leader of the Opposition.
It was unacceptable that in successive Budgets, the House voted on ministerial emoluments which did not reflect the actual financial package of the prime minister and the ministers.
How could the prime minister justify the fact that ministers were being paid their parliamentary honoraria from the funds allocated to their ministries? This was wrong and violated parliamentary procedure.
On the honoraria, the prime minister had now decided not to decide and was demanding a decision by the House Business Committee within a month.
Dr Muscat asked what right the prime minister had to set such a deadline for the committee after having hidden his own decisions for 30 months. This, he said, was arrogance.
He agreed that the honoraria of MPs had to be fair, but the decision could not be taken behind the people's backs, Dr Muscat said.
He disagreed that ministers should have a double pay. They should have a single package that, however was fair, he said.
Dr Muscat asked how the ministers would repay part of their honoraria and how that would work in the case of former ministers and speakers.
Noting an extract of Cabinet minutes, tabled by the prime minister, Dr Muscat noted that there was no reference to parliamentary assistants. These two were appointed in a compromise at the taxpayers' expense. How were they paid.
Dr Muscat said the Labour MPs had decided that they would all contribute from their honoraria to the fund which the Labour Party had set up. The decision was unanimously taken by secret vote.
He said the Labour MPs would discuss the honoraria in the House Committee as proposed by the prime minister. He rejected the deadline set by the prime minister and said the whole package of assistance given to MPs had to be discussed.
Replying, Dr Gonzi said the deadline could be shifted, but the situation could not continue for ever. The situation had reached this stage because no final decision was taken.
He insisted, as shown in the minutes of the House Welfare Committee that Opposition MPs had known about the increase in the honoraria and agreed with it. Indeed, some had complained that the increase in the honoraria had not yet been brought into force.
Dr Gonzi insisted that Dr Muscat simply could not continue to deny that he knew of the decision to raise the honorarium of MPs. He insisted once more that the fact that ministers were being given their salary and their honorarium as MPs only put them at the same level as all other MPs who served in the House and also had a job or profession.
The Prime Minister said the Opposition MPs had benefited the most when, six years ago, the government decided that civil servants who were elected to the House should retain their salary and their job and also pocket their honorarium as MPs. That was a double pay which the Labour Party had not criticised.
That ministers, as government employees, were now also being given a salary along with the honorarium was only the application of the same principle.
It also needed to be borne in mind that ministers and parliamentary secretaries were precluded form having any private work, something which did not apply to other people.
Dr Gonzi said he was shouldering his political responsibility for the decisions he had taken.
He had assumed in 2008 that the Opposition would agreed that the honoraria of mPs would be pegged at 70% of civil serviced pay scale one, from 50%. As a result, when the ministers started being given the honorarium, it was pegged at 70% of pay scale one.
Once there was no disagreement on the increase of the honoraria, the ministers would refund the increase - about €14,000 each after deducting tax. The ministers were thus at a par with the other MPs.
Dr Gonzi said the Budget estimates were correct. The ministerial salaries had not changed.
He agreed that the honoraria should be paid from Parliament's funds. Because agreement had not been reached yet, the honoraria had been paid from ministerial funds until the issue was settled. The money would be paid back as soon as possible, even though this could cause hardship for some people, Dr Gonzi said.
Dr Gonzi said the parliamentary assistants were not mentioned in the minutes he had tabled because in 2008, they had not been appointed yet. They were paid at the same rate as the chairmen of parliamentary committees. He thanked the parliamentary assistants for their work to the government.
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Mr Lawrence Fenech
Jun 10th 2011, 18:49
@Pace.
Why not ask Gonzi how he is going to spend his Euro 500 per week raise from 2008. I have no difficulty as to how I am going to spend my 1 Euro 16 cents.
N. Pace
Jan 21st 2011, 13:03
Ok, so the Labour Party has set up a fund which will keep the 'extra' money. Can they enlighten us as to how the funds will be used? One hopes that it will not go twoards party propaganda. Perhaps an education for Labour MPs and decision makers on how to offer concrete solutions?
just a suggestion of course
Christopher Grech
Jan 21st 2011, 10:09
Mr. Joseph Muscat, why not also slam the City Gate project that has some 90% of funds going to the Parliament building?
We do not need such an expense. The parliamentarians cannot expect such luxury in these troubled times.
Also we need not work until 70 years old to finance such expenses! A not so hidden agenda to work till we drop until 70 can be seen clearly now, but then we are to blame for letting these MPs, from both parties, do what they want!
Jonathan Scerri
Jan 20th 2011, 10:33
Why does the PM want a decision on his honoraria by end January and he's taken till end March to decide IF he shall compensate us for the price hikes we're all living with?
Apart from the fact that it is not the time to raise MP's honoraria more than EUR 1.16 a week, isn't this another case of treating the people as though they're stupid?
A. Vassallo
Jan 20th 2011, 09:50
@ Godfrey Galea,.
"PL huwa l-Partit tal-lum u tal-futur, il-partit serju li fih nistghu nafdaw biex ikollna futur ahjar mill-prezent li qed nghixu llum" meta nhar il-Gimgha li ghaddiet joseph qalilna li ghadu jkun ispirat mil-gid!!!!!!!!! LOL li ghamlu Mintoff u Karmenu fis-snin 70 u 80. Dan Joseph ser jehodna lura 40 sena.
Iz-zghazagh illum ma jafux kemm ma kellna xejn meta jien kont zghazagh f'dawk is-16-il sena tal-gvern tal-labour.
I M Dingli
Jan 20th 2011, 10:46
La trid taghmel paraguni bazwija habib, ha ntik paragun iehor jien..... dak iz-zmien ma kienx hemm dejn fuq ras il-poplu Malti filwaqt li illum il-gurnata hemm dejn ta l'fuq minn 4 biljun Euro. Dan isarraf f'dejn per capita ta madwar 10k Euro. Dak serhan il-mohh ux vera
Bid-dejn taghmel hafna affarijiet
N. Pace
Jan 21st 2011, 13:02
Dak iz-zmien ma kien hemm xejn - ghax hlief ghal erba bazuzli hadd ma kellu ghazla jew futur!
H. Psaila
Nov 16th 2011, 20:14
@IM Dingli - Veru li dak iz-zmien ma kienx hawn dejn pero konna minghajr dawl u ilma kwazi kuljum, jekk icempel fuq telefon taqbad ma xi tlieta ohra fuq linja wahda (dan trid tkun bazzulli biex tiehu linja tat-telefon), biex tiehu tv tal-kulur trid taghmel xi nofs tan-nhar fil-kju jew inkella thallas LM50 iktar. Veru konna qisna xi pajjiz Komunista. Veru taf taghmel paragun siehbi. Veru kien serhan il-mohh dak iz-zmien ghaliex hlief tkissir u glied ma kienx hawn.
J. Pace
Jan 17th, 00:56
@I M Dingli
Dak iz-zmien trrid tmur ghand il ministru biex tiehu xi haga wara li taghmillu hafna pjaciri - TV, Dawl, Ilma etc. Li ma sarx dak id-dejn llum ma ghandekx dak li tgawdi llum, kieku llum ghadna 30 sena lura, u bhal lum kieku bdejna nisimghu bl-internet u ovvjament jkunu banned bhal meta fi zmien Mintoff ma setghux jigu importati kompjuters!
Hallina King lanqas taf xinti tghid.
Xi zmiem ikrah gej ghal-Malta ghidli...Isa hej...
George Cassar
Jan 20th 2011, 09:45
Those whom the Gods want to destroy they first make mad
Mark Anthony Sammut
Jan 20th 2011, 09:35
Taqra dawn il-kummenti tmut bid-dahk....ara vera nofskom qas tafu x'qed jigri ta.
1. Iz-zieda fl-onorarja tal-MPs mhux ha tinghata, lil hadd. M'hu ha jkun hemm l-ebda zieda li ha jaghtu lill-karita' tal-PL.
2. Din iz-'zieda' ta' €367 li qed issemmu hija ghax il-Ministri ha jibdew jiehdu l-onorarja. Tajjeb mela, konsulenti u professuri li qeghdin fl-oppozizzjoni jew MPs fin-naha tal-Gvern, jithallsu eluf tax-xoghol full-time taghhom + l-onorarja tal-Parlament, imma jekk dan l-MP jintaghzel ikun Ministru, irid jirrifjuta l-onorarja ghal-paga inqas milli kellu qabel kien Ministru. Din x'diskriminazzjoni hi? Allura jiehu l-onorarja kulhadd, Ministru u MP. Two jobs double pay ghal kulhadd Joseph.
3. Kulmin qed iparla fil-vojt hawn, niggarantilu li qas jekk il-paga ta' Ministru ma tkun mitt elf fis-sena ma jissaporti 3 ijiem fiz-zarbun tieghu: xoghol ta' 24/7, bla leave u sick, izjed il-boghod mill-familja milli maghha, jaffacja decizjonijiet li jridu l-massimu tal-koncentrazzjoni tieghu ghal 12-il siegha kuljum, minghajr hajja privata u minghajr hin liberu. Thajru iddedikaw hajjitkom ghal pajjizkom b'dan il-mod jekk tahsbu li daqshekk xalata u paga tajba.
4. L-istuntman jilghab bikom. Sentejn ilu qabel ma' din il-bidla, sentejn wara qed jghajjat kontriha. Tal-kummiedji.
john vella
Jan 20th 2011, 12:09
Sur MAS My reply is not based on assumption, but what is fact, let me refer to your last part of your mail.
If ministerial job is so bad, why do we have THREE, I repeat THREE, generations of M.B. taking over from grandpa, to pa to son. By the way there are others in parliament who are doing nicely from father to son, surely their parents advice was taken into consideration.
As they say don't judge the book by the cover my friend!
john vella
Jan 20th 2011, 09:27
Dear Joseph
Can I kindly ask you after you put your QUESTIONS (in plural) in the Highest Institution of the land, do you consider the Government explanation to you and the people listening had your questions answered?
l fenech
Jan 20th 2011, 09:11
Hear hear, well put Dr. Joseph, somebody is in his right of mind.
Anthony Tabone
Jan 20th 2011, 09:36
Sorry, but I do not think that there is anybody worth voting for next election, whether it's Don Lawrence or Don Joseph.
G. Galea
Jan 20th 2011, 12:37
Dear I Fenech,
Whether you vote or not, a government is still going to be elected so might as well voice your opinion on the matter. It's not like if you don't vote the country will become an anarchy.
G. Galea
Jan 20th 2011, 12:38
@Anthony Tabone,
Whether you vote or not, a government is still going to be elected so might as well voice your opinion on the matter. It's not like if you don't vote the country will become an anarchy.
Paul Giordimaina
Jan 20th 2011, 07:49
Joseph Muscat is trying to change this pay rise as a political issue.Hope for Malta.sake he never gain power.
l fenech
Jan 20th 2011, 09:14
Dejjem l-istess marda kronika tal-PN, Gonzi jghaffeg u jzeffnu lill-labour.
lzammit
Jan 20th 2011, 09:30
Daz-zgur! Ghax il-passat tal-PL ikrah wisq. Min ghadda minnu ma jinsieh qatt.
R. Caruana
Jan 20th 2011, 07:45
Joseph Muscat couldn't even be correct about the honoraria, which are now €367 and not €500!
And now he agrees with everyone getting a raise!! No doubt, he was slammed by a number of his own MPs who do not earn his kind of salary, and who wanted the raise but couldn't openly say so.
Anthony Pace Gouder
Jan 20th 2011, 03:13
Dan x'tahwid hu ? L'ewwel jinghad li z-zieda ser tkun "backdated" sal-2008, ghax inkixef, b'arretrati li jlahhqu il-Miljuni, u issa jinstab li diga thallsu u ser ikollhom irroddu lura "parti" ????? minn din iz-zieda fenomenali ! Tassew Farsa Gonzesca , u minn jaf xhad irriddu nisimghaw ! I
Iva ilna mill-1964 , b'ministri li jieqfu mill-professjoni u/jew xoghol privat taghhom , u kellhom jghaddu 46 sena biex johrog Dr.Gonzi b'din it-tejorija li ghandhu jinghata kumpens. Fuq kollox KUMPENS UGWALI , sew jekk intix Tabib , Perit , Avukat ,Skrivan , Accountant etc. jew inkella Mara tad-Dar !
Mark Piscopo
Jan 19th 2011, 23:48
@Joseph Abdilla
Prosit lil membri parlamentari laburisti li ddecidew li ma jiehdux iz-zieda fl-onorarja. Ghalfejn ma tghidx l-verita amettu li Eur400 fil gimgha kattiva xorta!
Joseph Aquilina
Jan 20th 2011, 09:07
They did not say that. They said they will 'contribute' from their honoraria. I do not know if they will be made to say how much they contribute.
E.Formosa
Jan 19th 2011, 21:42
Prosit Dr Muscat ! Diskors brillanti ! U ahna nemmnuk dejjem. Niftakar daarba aghidtilna biex nivvutaw KONTRA li Malta tidhol fl'Ewropa u ftit wara ghidtilna biex nivvutawlek biex INT tmur l-Ewropa. Int mort u tidher li mort tajjeb anki minhajr onorarja. Hekk ikunu l-irgiel. Iva iva u le le. Jiena iva u inti le.
D. Camilleri
Jan 19th 2011, 21:42
This is what people expect: a true sense of SOLIDARITY.
D. Micallef
Jan 19th 2011, 21:28
Once again - Joseph Muscat setting the agenda.
First we get the PN trying to defend the raise.
Now we get the PM admitting the mistake. In actual fact it was no mistake - Gonzi renounced from his position because he was at ransom.
Thanks to Joseph Muscat and all the PL Parliamentary Group
Joe Busuttil
Jan 19th 2011, 21:27
Now, now my dear Gonzi PN,wasn't that naughty of you ,making your hard working Mins.refund a small part of their booty? At this rate you will be driving them to the breadline and they will be counted as living in (perceived ) poverty. Where are the "par idejn sodi"? Note:Hope you have not gained the vote of your dissenting doctor and lost the votes of the remaining MPs. And all you PNers,you will serve Gonzi pn better if you just shut up and not post more silly arguments.
Fransis Abdilla
Jan 19th 2011, 21:11
'Pay peanuts, get monkeys'. Is this what PL wants? Hmm ... ah yes ... second hand telephone exchange ... bulk buying ... discarded imports ... Not a track record to be proud of. Cheap is expensive - perhaps Joseph Muscat comes cheap but goes expensive ...
Muscat Pat
Jan 20th 2011, 08:27
If we pay GonziPN a lot of money and probably never see them again;its probably worth it!
John Bonello
Jan 19th 2011, 21:10
Ghaziz Joseph,.issa z zejjed kollu zejjed.........mhux ahjar thalli lil gvern imexxi...jew qed tinkwieta illi qed igib ir-rizultati u trid tara x tivvinta. Wara kollox inti kont dejjem tghid illi nimxu il quddiem nhux billi innaqsu il pagi imma billi nzidu x xoghol u b hekk jinhalaq aktar gid u il pagi jkunu jistghu jizdiedu.....dan ma jghoddx allura ghal parlament..................u shabek ma setghux ma hadux iz zieda mill-ewwel. Mela mhux xorta mix taxxi taghna sejjrin jehduha. Jew issa skuza komda halli l flus inkunu nistghu nghinu lil min irridu....hallina siehbi... u tipruvax tivvinta inkwiet meta ma hawnx ghal xiex...
Victor Vella
Jan 21st 2011, 16:45
Veru habib. Inhallu l-gvern tieghek jibqa` jkisser u jfarrak. Int tidher li m`intiex wiehed minn dawk li mhux milqut u mfarrak taht par idejn sodi li qerdu lil dan il-pajjiz? Jekk int ghaddej tajjeb taht dan ir-regim iswed nawguralek biex tibqa tiehu pjacir ghax ghad jigi zmien li tibki. Ibqa` ghoxa habib. Ghada jisbah ukoll.
Frank Cutajar
Jan 19th 2011, 20:50
Joseph Muscat qal li l-Ministri ghandu jkollhom pakket finanzjaru wiehed.
Mela l-logika tahdem hekk:
paga + honorarja = pakkett finanzjarju wiehed.
Joseph Muscat kien qieghed jidhak bin-nies meta kien qieghed jghid li ma jaqbilx maz-zieda. B'din tal-pakkett wiehed hu car li qieghed jahseb ghal meta jkun fil-gvern. Hekk ried il-grupp parlamentari laburista! u allura l-kap tal-oppozizzjoni biddel dak li kien qieghed jghid qabel.
thanks grupp parlamentari, illum fhimna aktar dak li ma kienx qieghed jghid joseph!
Rodnick Abdilla
Jan 19th 2011, 21:34
Taf min dahak bin nies Frank dak li huwa ha paga straordinarja u ahna 1.16 cents mela dawn qed joqodu go pjaneta ohra ?
Joseph Abdilla
Jan 19th 2011, 20:47
Unbelievable.
Today I heard the parliamentary session and heard Joseph Muscat saying that he agrees with some sort of revision of the MP's honoraria and he agrees that with a revision of the minister's salaries.
U-turn per eccellenza.
it seems that the labour party parliamentary group meeting did not turn out as Joseph Muscat has envisaged!!! cara daqs il-kristall
we can see through the glass house!!!
P. aGIUS
Jan 19th 2011, 21:50
Ghaziz joseph keiku ma tismax in net biss joseph muscat ilu jghid li irid jibdel il methodu ta kif jithalsu l-membri parlamentari mil bidu ta din is saga u l-froga li ghamel il Prim Ministru !!! Grow up tismax naha wahda !!!
u haga hra ghandek ragun ta mhux kif ried Joseph Muscat hareg ir rizultat tal meeting bejn l-MPs laburisti ...... IR-RIZULTAT HAREG BIC CAR LI L-MPS KOLLHA LABURISTA HUMA VERAMENT VICIN IL POPLU U KOLLHA KEMM HUMA MA QABLUX MA DAK LI HAWWAD IL PRIM MINISTRU --- (biex infakkrek l-MPs laburista kollha kemm HUMA ha jaghtu iz zieda KOLLHA u mux 365eur lil min vera ghandu bzonn )
Roderick Spiteri
Jan 19th 2011, 20:47
Prosit lil membri parlamentari laburisti li ddecidew li ma jiehdux iz-zieda fl-onorarja.
Gonzi ghal darb ohra sfurzat jaghmel U-turn!!
Thomas Vella
Jan 19th 2011, 20:44
Bold move by PL. When Dr. Gonzi is faced with a threat from an MP he calls on PBO to arrange a quick meeting with the disgruntled soul (note you have to be an MP nowadays) and tries to strike a deal. It’s important for Dr. Gonzi to compromise even if he has to make a U-turn just as long as he doesn’t lose a vote in parliament. Unfortunately the ordinary Joe is not treated in the same manner because Dr. Gonzi isn’t listening to what we, the people, have to say!
MPs should not get a pay rise …especially now! We’re still in a recession! PM have you heard that David Cameron in UK is blocking a pay rise for their MPs and in the next Budget by Mach he will reduce fuel tax?
Tony Sant
Jan 19th 2011, 20:43
Joseph Muscat ma qal xejn dwar is-salarju li ghandu hu ta' €53,000. Hu qal li jaghti lill-karita jekk jaghtuh iz-zieda.
U sadanitant id-deputati ghandhom salarju ta' €19,000. X'differenza, il-leader b'53k u d-deputati b'19k u oggezzjona li jiehdu z-zieda.
ISSA NAFU MIN HU L-KOMDU....
u bil-haqq li ma qalx hu li ghandu €7,000 tax free.
d.magro
Jan 20th 2011, 06:31
Sur Sant, Il fatt jibqa li int u jien hadna Euro1.16 u siehbek Dr.Gonzi approva zieda esagerata lilu nnifsu u l-MP`s kollha. Dan hu zball kardinali li messa m`ghamel qatt. Minn jikmanda u jaghmel il-ligi ghamel l-izball. Dan hu fatt li hadd ma jistgha jmerih. Taqbel li Gonzipn kellu jaghti din iz-zieda ?
James Borg
Jan 19th 2011, 20:43
To all the GONZIPN apologists, I tell you that it is clear you either do not speak the truth or else you where never involved in the thru PN.
Dont ask me, ask Hon John Dalli.
One thing for sure GONZIPN is light years away from the real PN.
Ex PN voter
Marco Sacco
Jan 19th 2011, 20:41
No doubt about it.
The Malta Labour Part are now setting the agenda in this country after 24 years of doom in the hands of abysmal leaders.
I rarely hear the parliament but today i wanted to hear this Joseph Muscat who I haven't had the opportunity to hear much since I'm not politically minded. A simple silent show of force imho. Gonzi got it all wrong from the beginning.
The man in MLP's helm means business. Now it's just a matter of either NOT going out to vote, or this guy.
Politics in Malta look like having a future.
James Borg
Jan 19th 2011, 20:40
Why am I not surprised !!!
Instead of netting 600 euro's a week in honoraria they will be netting 500 euro's.
Do these GONZIPN people really think that they can get away with this too ???
How things have changed within the Nationalist Party. I used to be so proud of it.
Kemm ghandu ragun siehbi John Dalli, min igarrab jaf l-ahjar.
L-elezzjoni dalwaqt tasal u bye bye GONZIPN.
James Borg
Jan 19th 2011, 20:39
Why am I not surprised !!!
Instead of netting 600 euro's a week in honoraria they will be netting 500 euro's.
Do these GONZIPN people really think that they can get away with this too ???
How things have changed within the Nationalist Party. I used to be so proud of it.
Kemm ghandu ragun siehbi John Dalli, min igarrab jaf l-ahjar.
L-elezzjoni dalwaqt tasal u bye bye GONZIPN.
Joe Calleja
Jan 19th 2011, 20:35
Fully agree with John Borg.:"How can his MPs donate part of their raise to charity when the raise has now been frozen because this will be discussed and agreed in the house business committee?"
Does this then mean that they will vote FOR the raise then??!! OF COURSE THEY WILL!!!!
And what is this all the talk about government afraid of loosing a vote in Parliament? Do all you "mazzuni" ("gullible persons", for all ye foreigners) sincerely believe that PL MPs Roderick Galdes and Anthony Zammit, et al , would have voted against their raise?? Come on. Grow Up!
MBorg
Jan 19th 2011, 20:34
@ c. camilleri
I wish that you were right , but you got it all wrong.
" while with unnanimous vote ALL PL members gave up the ENTIRE rise "
That is not what has been said " Labour MPs had decided that they would all contribute from their honoraria to the fund which the Labour Party had set up."
I hope you understand that they can give €1 or €2 from their honoraria and it would still be a contribution. What is needed is for all this increase to be stopped. No playing about with figures.
Manuel Micallef
Jan 19th 2011, 20:33
A government in scumbles!!
this problem was created by their own making and it is growing into a farse!!
well done LP on this!!
Mr Joseph Galea
Jun 10th 2011, 19:00
What are scumbles?
Joseph N Attard
Jan 19th 2011, 20:30
What a big kawlata (muddle)! One result may well be a higher rate of abstentions in political elections, as people become disenchanted.
Chris Balzan
Jan 19th 2011, 20:27
The Prime Minister is on the wrong side of this issue. All of this issue began on the wrong foot, having taken the decision behind closed doors during a Cabinet meeting.
Now, he's trying to make amends and play around with words and half-baked measures involving our taxes.
On the contrary we can notice a consistent and strong opposition on this issue. It takes guts to refuse such increase - but politicians must lead by example. Sacrifices are to be made by everyone and not only by us honest citizens.
So long for 'qalbna mal-haddiema!'
tony pulis
Jan 19th 2011, 20:26
gonzi jrid jghatti x-xemx bl-gharbiel. Il-poplu tkellem imma l-gvern injorah. Li -l Dr. Farrugia nghidlu li ghamilt glieda ghal xejn ghax cedejt l-principju tieghek meta ghidt li m'ghandekx differenzi ma' Gonzi. Imma int ma rbaht xejn ghax bdejt glieda u waqaft. IL-pl irid ikun car u jibqa' jghid li z-zieda ma tinghatax meta ahna z-zghar hadna loqma. Tkellem Eddie u ma tax kas ser jaghti kas lill-PL Imma z-zmien igerbeb u min jidhak l-ahhar jidhak l-ahjar.
Charles Borg
Jan 19th 2011, 20:21
I dont know why all this fuss about the PL MPS where they were the same ones which agreed to this and trying to force the Goverment that it was time to be taken a decision. I see it more of a political agenda from the labour party.
Joe Micallef
Jan 19th 2011, 20:18
So after all the PL MPs have accepted the honoraria and have decided to give it out to charity.
If they did not accept the rise, the charity would be a shining example of immorality
So if they did accept the rise for how long will they be giving it to charity, or is this an "in omne tempus" wage freeze
If it is not a wage freeze, whenever Joseph decides an increase will it be in addition to the charity contribution
christopher sammut
Jan 19th 2011, 20:18
will our MEPs do same with their increased honoraria? will they give their increase to charity also??
Robert Borg
Jan 19th 2011, 20:18
Joseph Muscat - strong in Parliament tonight!
Lawrence Gonzi - what did he say?
E Gatt
Jan 19th 2011, 20:18
Dr Joseph Muscat really cared about taxpayers then he would not have proposed forcing taxpayers to fund political parties. If Dr Joseph Muscat’s proposal, was adopted, then €7.2 million would have been paid by taxpayers – a fraction of what the increases MPs are collectively earning. Luckily his proposal fell through - click here:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090215/local/labour-makes-euro-7-2-million-state-funding-proposal
Labour can continue fanning the flames of envy, but luckily the taxpayer’s champions – PN – are in government.
John tanti
Jan 19th 2011, 20:06
Hadn't Joseph Muscat declared that he will not accept the honoraria, this U-turn would not have been made.
It's beyond me why the PM was advised to defend his salary increase decision.
Sandra Pullicino
Jan 19th 2011, 19:59
Gonzi jekk ghandek l-icken hjiel ta' dicenza fittex irrizenja u sejjah elezzjoni.
W. Azzopardi
Jan 19th 2011, 19:54
U billi Joseph joqghod jaqbad ma 'L-ONORARJA' se jikkonvinci lil xi hadd li hu kapaci imexxi lil- Malta? J"Alla jkollna mexxejja li ithallsu tajjeb ,basta kapaci imexxu il-pajjiz u igibu x-xoghol.
David Vassallo
Jan 19th 2011, 20:23
Mela oqghod hallas il-hajja dejjem tghola siehbi u l-mexxej daqstant tajjeb fl-opinjoni tieghek jiehu paga addizzjonali mal-paga propja tieghu aktar milli wisq probabli ghandek paga int. Jien bhalek kont nemmen imma id-darba li jmiss zgur nibdel il-partit li novvota ghax Gonzi bit-tieni paga u l-imghallem tieghi jtella' u jnizzel inaqqasx il-haddiema biex inaqqas l-ispejjez. IL-HMAR MHUX MIN HU BLA SKOLA IMMA MIN MA JRIDX JITGHALLEM.
D. Borg
Jan 19th 2011, 20:39
Kemm inti bravu
A. Brincat
Jan 19th 2011, 20:40
M'ghandux bzonn jikkonvincik. Ikkonvinca lil min irid jifhem li dan il gvern ta' Gonzi serqu u ghaddih biz-zmien.
Eric Camilleri
Jan 19th 2011, 20:47
Tahseb allura li l-Priministru bhalissa miexi sew?? Hekk weghdek qabel l-elezzjoni, u inti fejn taf xi jfisser Joseph Muscat meta ghadu qatt ma' mexxa l-pajjiz.
Meta taghddas rasek gor-ramel hekk tibqa tirraguna, biss meta tinduna li qieghd tizbalja jkun tard wisq u n-nies iwarbuk
Adrian Mizzi
Jan 19th 2011, 20:48
Well said! the government delivered the goods and met expectations (in certain industries even exceeded them - as in tourism, healthcare, education and growth in the private sector) thus they deserve the said honoraria. This payrise is nothing out of the ordinary when you compare it to what a manager and most professionals make nowadays.
What this country really needs are effective leaders and MPs who believe and manage to take the country to the next level. Believe me cheap/incapable MPs and leaders will cost the country more than the €500 a week price tag
Paul Borg
Jan 19th 2011, 21:08
Mexxi int sur Azzoppardi minflok tparlaw fil vojt bilqieghda quddiem it TV. Nippreferi immut bil-guh taht gvern li jipprova,milli taht gvern li jparla fuq krisi internazzjonali fejn jaqbillu u qatilna bil guh biex jibni parlament ta 80milljun li m'ghandniex bzonn u ma naffordjawx. Irridu Gvern li jinvesti fin nies mhux fi shabu ta madwaru kif ghamel tat Tunezia.
Larson Pisani
Jan 19th 2011, 19:53
Qatt ma kont daqshekk proud nghid li jien Laburist b'ruh u twemmin SOCJALISTI. Proset Joseph Bik fit-tmun Malta ghandna prospetti sbieh hafna!!!!
D.Zammit
Jan 19th 2011, 19:53
Just a small note.
Does PL will still contribute to charity fund from their honoraria, when and if they be in power?
Alex Saliba
Jan 19th 2011, 19:52
Moments like these make me proud to be a Labourite.
Well done to all Labour Party Parliamentarians for their act of solidarity with the Maltese nation.
Malta is proud of you!
H Galea
Jan 20th 2011, 06:33
Mr Saliba, What Dr. Muscut is after are Voters, once in power he will have hurdles by the hundreds, will he be able to achive all that he has not yet promised. When Mintoff with all the power/supporters he faded away, so other world leaders. Let us not run before we know what lies ahead.
John Borg
Jan 19th 2011, 19:49
Joseph Muscat understood nothing! How can his MPs donate part of their raise to charity when the raise has now been frozen because this will be discussed and agreed in the house business committee? He is just after cheap propaganda, not after substance.
When he instructs his MPs to forfeit their honoraria if they have another income, I would begin to believe he is honest!
Mark Piscopo
Jan 19th 2011, 19:46
Well Done to all Labour Mps and thanks to Dr Muscat the Ministers and Prime Minister will gain Eur500 instead of Eur600! Ahjar mix xejn?
A.Gauci Cunningham
Jan 19th 2011, 19:40
Well Done to all Labour MP's A truly responsible and politically astute decision. The difference between the 2 parties on this issue couldn't have demonstrated itself better than tonight in Parliament!! Now we'll wait with bated breath for the "jealousy...jealousy" brigade to call this a "gimmick"
A.Pavia
Jan 19th 2011, 19:38
At least charity organizations will benefit from this. I really hope that when labour is in government in 2 years time I will have pocket full of money saved from electricity bills, lower taxes, cheaper fuels and last but not least a 10 euro per week wage rise :D:D
MBorg
Jan 19th 2011, 19:31
Workers and pensioners do not want you to donate part of your honoraria to a charity fund. What most of the nation wants is for MPs to vote for this increase to be stopped or to have it changed to a much lower figure than €500 weekly proposed.
c camilleri
Jan 19th 2011, 19:30
Wow what a difference between the political parties!
The PN fighting internally to give up ONLY €100 raise a week from the €600 they are getting. While with unanimous vote ALL PL members gave up the ENTIRE raise!
Joseph Muscat once again outplayed and outshone GonziPN again. What a leader! We should be proud of him and look into the next general elections with great hope for a brighter future under a government elected by the people and for the people.
GonziPN has lost all credibility. They are playing with figures to forfeit a mere 100€ increase and still cash in 500€ a week in increases.
axuereb
Jan 19th 2011, 19:29
Dr Muscat said the Labour MPs had decided that they would all contribute from their honoraria to the fund which the Labour Party had set up. Well done PL!
Carm Vella Diacono
Jan 19th 2011, 19:28
Gonzi's series of U-turns are not inspired by the public interest but the fear of losing a majority in Parliament. Lack of leadership skills by PM Gonzi and others like Tonio Borg has led this country to this state of inequality.
Even though any increases could be fair, it is not the right time to do so. We have a Prime Minister with the wrong priorities and the incorrect timing. The people (as Gonzi also admits) are making a lot of sacrifices, and our representatives should share the burden too. How can we justify our sacrifices when Lawrence Gonzi, responsible for raising taxes on fuel, is now pretending a double-salary?
Politicians shoudl lead by example. Joseph Muscat is giving a breath of fresh air to the local poltics, where we are used to 4-seat majorities acting as government bulldozers. The consistency shown today by the PL should continue to be maintained until we get rid of this conservative Government. The economy should be the tool of the people and not the people serve as the tool of the economy.
Philip Vella
Jan 19th 2011, 19:24
Jiena nahseb li l-PL qieghed jew irid idahhak, ghax imbilli ha jaghtuha ghal karita jibqa l-fatt li bl-impjiegi taghhom + il-hlas tal-Parlament ifisser li qed idahhluhom min x'imkien u iehor. Safrattant xorta ha jehduhom il-flus. Ghax minflok, ma qalux lil Gvern biex jaghtihom zieda lill-poplu Malti...il-flus li kienu ha jiehdu zieda Muscat & Friends. Hemm kienet tkun genwina l-Oppozizzjoni. Gonzi nafu x'inhu...imma l-PL mhux inqas minnu
Mariette Borg
Jan 19th 2011, 19:23
Din hija l-kuxjenza socjali!
D. A . Agius
Jan 19th 2011, 19:20
Well, honestly, this honoraria issue only holds its stand due to the recent hikes in prices and the paltry COLA adjustment.
It is ridiculous in this age that any half decent manager gets paid more than an MP. I understand they have their bills as well and there needs to be something to compensate for irregular hours and ultimately service to the country.
This is only an issue of method employed, timing and most of all, lack of real derivatives from what is paid out from taxpayer's money.
Will we see faster processing of Parliamentary issues?
Will we see a net increase in productivity?
Will the Parliament keep in touch with our population? Ask yourself, wha's currently being done in the parliament? Do they just go sit down, look pretty and have a coffee or are they really working over there? Both Government and Opposition sides I mean by this.
Value for money. Are we paying for decent work or simply for Political and personal agendas and MP's financial gain?
Good luck in receiving refunds. I suggest pooling together Government and Opposition refunds and donating them to the Community chest fund.
Adrian Cachia
Jan 19th 2011, 19:53
I agree with you.
And I have to add that during these times the pay rise could have waited for another year or two!
Godfrey Galea
Jan 19th 2011, 19:19
Liz-Zghazagh Maltin.
Il-PL huwa l-Partit tal-lum u tal-futur, il-partit serju li fih nistghu nafdaw biex ikollna futur ahjar mill-prezent li qed nghixu llum.
Joseph huwa l-uniku mexxej serju, responsabbli u b'kuxjenza f'dal-pajjiz.
Il-PL huwa l-Partit li jghinna nimxu 'l quddiem.
r spiteri
Jan 19th 2011, 19:33
Iz-zghazagh xoghol, edukazzjoni u sahha ahjar iridu u mhux Partit Laburista li jaghmel repeater class, inehhi l-istipendji, jibghathom jiddejnu u fuq kollox jinvesti f'fabbriki taz-zraben u l-imsiemer.
M. Mamo
Jan 19th 2011, 19:37
serju tant li kull meta saqsewh hux ha jtina l-istipendju jew iwaqqahhulna harab mill-mistoqsija!! u hallina trid
Nicky Azzopardi
Jan 19th 2011, 19:51
You are a fool to think Jospeh is the serious leader. Joseph Muscat is no leader, he isn't even his own team captain. He is driven on by the old PL motto of "throw mud at whatever you see or hear".
He proposes nothing. It is true that his job is still as Opposition leader, but constructive criticism includes COMPLIMENTING decisions with ideas and 'add-ons'.
Joseph on the other hand, is a true 'injorant' who fools you and another good 200,000 like you.
V Barbara
Jan 19th 2011, 20:26
It is a pity that certain people allow party-politics to divert their attention fom the real issues at stake here. I think Joseph Muscat and the Labour MPs have been quite clear and consistent with regards to this honoria business throughout the whole debate - I don't think Lawence Gonzi & his crew have acted fairly to decide matters behind the people's back, the same people they should be representing. The difference between the two leaders smacks you right in the face... you have to be really living in another dimension not to realise this.
Joe Micallef
Jan 19th 2011, 20:34
u sustanza ta dan id-duhan?
Frans Zammit
Jan 19th 2011, 22:40
Well said Mr Barbara! Let’s face it. The country’s financial situation is not good whatsoever, or, at least, we have to agree that it is no the - finanzi fis-sod – pictures said way back, and no €6/500 rise WEEKLY is definitely the National way forward. You simply cannot turn on your people to make them fasten their belt tighter and tighter and on the other hand you grant yourself such wages!
It’s an entire Monthly National Minimum Wage for some 3/4 persons’ family. Furthermore, you impose higher utilities bills, fuel, gas prices while other daily necessities are experiencing very sharp prices hikes, as bread and milk. As the English goes, we are dealing with “the bread and butter issues”.
To say that it’s due to international forces, it is to try to get with it in the easiest way out! Mr Micallef, In poor words, the difference is that GonziPN is acting only in favour of it’s interests and not the National one. Muscat could have stood silent and would have earned several more bucks weekly! But he did not, and that says it all!
P Agius
Jan 19th 2011, 19:17
What a difference .... A split government having various members opposing their leader because they are not consulted and an opposition discussing things internally and act as one front for the maltese people.
Well done to all Labour MPs that showed true solidarity with Maltese families.
Joseph Farrugia
Jan 19th 2011, 19:15
This u-turn has been taken because of the national protest held last Friday by the P.L. and the cry of those considered under the poverty line or to solve the turmoil in the PN parliamentary group?
S Falzon
Jan 19th 2011, 19:14
Joseph Muscat has one of the best speeches in Parliament tonight!
Cherry on the cake? Announcing that all PL MPs will contribute the honoraria to charity!
bryan sullivan
Jan 19th 2011, 19:26
Slight correction. The Labour Party MP's are contributing FROM their honoraria and not their whole honoraria. which now begs the question of : "How much are they contributing ?" having said this i still disagree completely with the manner and extent of these increases !
Charlene Bonnici
Jan 19th 2011, 19:09
Well Done !!!!
steven Axisa
Jan 19th 2011, 19:06
Proud with all pl mp. those are people representative