Former opposition leader, Edison James, has said that the motion put before Parliament which addresses the commencement of payment of salaries to elected members and senators of the House of Assembly does not make provisions to accommodate his recommendation.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit asked Parliament recently to approve a motion to refer to the Standing Orders Committee of the House of Assembly for its consideration and submission, a request by former and current parliamentarians to adjust the commencement of the payment of parliamentarians’ salaries after a general election.
The Prime Minister said enquiries for the change in salary payments had been made by former prime minister of Dominica, Edison James and former MP of Roseau Central Norris Prevost, as well as the current parliamentary representatives for the Salisbury Constituency, Hector John and Roseau North, Danny Lugay.
In presenting the matter to the parliament, Skerrit cautioned against going beyond the 10th Parliament.
“We have to ensure that decisions that we make have to be for the orderly conduct of the proceedings of the house and that whatever decisions we take, especially if we are going to go back to the 9th Parliament or the 8th Parliament or the 7th Parliament, that they will be inherent implications and that no matter where you stop, somebody is going to feel that you have discriminated against them,” he remarked.
In an interview with Dominica News Online (DNO) recently, James confirmed that 6 years ago on April 30th 2015, he wrote to the clerk of the House of Assembly in the capacity of accounting officer of Parliament requesting a review of the basis on which his salary and allowances and by extension, his retiring allowances, were calculated and paid.
However, he said the motion which the prime minister indicated would be put before the Standing Orders Committee does not involve adjusting his retirement benefits.
“Ironically, while they have indicated that this whole matter started based on the interventions by me and others, the motion which they have put before the Parliament does not make provisions to accommodate my recommendation,” James said.
“I indicated that my request for such a review was based on the relevant facts and the provisions of the constitution, the appropriate laws, the rules of the Parliament and a Privy Council decision coming out of Trinidad,” the former Marigot MP explained.
He said the fact that the authorities, after 6 years, are now taking what they deem to be the appropriate action indicates an acceptance that there was a need for such review.
“According to the rules of the house pertaining to that amendment of the standing order which is what I understand they are going to do, there should have been no debate or discussion once the motion had been submitted and seconded,” James stated. “ It is interesting that they have decided to do the review so let’s see what comes out of it.”
Being a politician is the best job on earth. Graft in, graft out Make a successful campaign and you are set for life.
%,DLP is in power because unlike you the majority of Dominicans are smart.What did UWP do with the reengineered citizenship money.?The UWP used government money to build the SUNRISE village on private property.The minister of agriculture Leased government land to the Prime Minister to install a crusher.The reason to crush stones for all government projects.NORTHEAST QUARRIES.Corruption at it’s best.UWP will NEVER see the reigns of power,jump high jump low
Thought you said the country is poor! People can’t put food on their table.
Is a habit you and Lennox have?!
To take from the poor?.
This request should not be entertained. When an employer makes you a job offer, there is a start date you become an employee and get paid from then, before. Why is it Edison and company think parliamentarians should get paid retroactively and prospectively from the day after election? Parliamentarians should only get paid when they have taken the oath of office. This is not party politics; I am more of a UWP supporter than a Labor party supporter, but I cannot support this. As for Edison’s retirement benefits, he should be paid according to the laws in place at the time and not according to any amended law. If the law is amended, only those serving and those to follow should benefit.
People should be paid for the work they perform, not from the day they were given a job offer, which is what Edison James is asking for.
That request goes to show that Edison is more interested in the money than public service. Skerrit is no different.
What about Patrick John of DLP who tried to sell Dominica under our noses to white supremacists.
not same thing that happening now? Foreigners own places like Kempinski and locals working in foreign owned local establishments for minimal wages – what’s the difference?
Exactly the same. That is their legacy, to sell the country under the noses of the people. Dominicans also need to stop selling our private land to them. We get dazzled by the big money, knowing locals cannot afford. The Chinese government subsidizes their people so that they can afford it. Meanwhile Dominicans sucking salt. Roseau is Chinatown. Dominica-China Friendship Roseau. Someone explained to me that in some Caribbean countries, foreigners are not sold land. They lease it. Whether it is for 10, 20, 50, 90, 100 years. But at the end of the day, the land still belongs to the local. But our goal is to attract “investments”. The price of development. I guess we cannot have it both ways.
Go to hell Edison James, when you were prime minister most of us could not get their monthly wages on time you are a pirate and a wicked man! Sell by date get back to your cage Mr Jack Sparrow!!!!
@ Clown
Your problem is your inability to understand what you read, so you must babble all sorts of balderdash..
I doubt many people read what you write!
Skerrit and company are living high on the hog, but they must always question themselves and know that it cannot be for ever!!
Man Bites Dog Woof woof🐶🐕.Be human being with this humanistic approach and knowledgeable thoughts if you wish to share and engage we the people of Dominica. I’m sorry but reading your comments are just one that is just not visionary nor complimentary because you appear to be this blind Joker 🃏 who just talk and Pen on irrelevant matters meaning that you’re just being personal and appears not sufficiently matured nor focussed on current matters of state. If you wish to accommodate us with your irrelevant thoughts please do your research first before you pen irrelevant Nonsensical thoughts which DLP obviously stained where you pen BS before you do your research on matters of concern that we are able to accommodate your outdated commentary of this blind Labour loyalist of your
And be reminded that you’re addressing, or hoping to Address us we the people on substantive matters of states failures by Failed incompetent PM Skerrit and his failed questionable DLP. This DLP must Get OUT.
When is this Woof woof Man Stop Biting Dogs and Himself, who’s next of this Who Man Bites Dogs other than within his family hell go barking all over Dominica’ in order to Bite his woof woof Dogs. The FACT is Mister Man Who Bites Dogs, go clean up yourself and be this intellectual Decent gentleman. Stay away from Skerrit and his Failed Labour Party Government.
They have failed us and our economy. That failed incompetent Labour government must ” “Go to Hell…. Go to Hell.” SKERRIT’ and his DLP has failed us. “Go to Hell…Go to Hell… it’s our Business. We need this failed Fake DLP out of our States funds and Government ASAP.
Read my comment above. All you like to have selective memory only when it suits you all. If we going back in time lets go all the way back.
So we go way back, found that the other govt was wanting and then what? Dont fix things because “workers did it?” This is the solution from a govt who has no vision and lack leadership skills. Everybody knows to make progress you dont keep jeeging back you move on. We also know that skerrit has no leadership capacity thats why for 30 years and years to come he will be talking about “workers did it”