Trinidad's Cabinet say no to big salary increases for Parliamentarians

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - The big salary increases proposed by the Parliamentary House Committee for Members of Parliament, including the House of Representatives, Senate and the Tobago House of Assembly, have not been accepted by Cabinet, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said yesterday.

She said Cabinet, however, has agreed to implement the more modest increases recommended by the Salaries Review Committee (SRC), which is a standing body appointed by the President under the Constitution.

Persad-Bissessar was speaking to the media while attending the annual Siparia Women’s Association’s Kiddies Carnival competition at Bhupsingh Park, Penal Junction.

Following the interview, Persad-Bissessar issued a statement giving details on the decision.

She stated that based on legal advice concerning the removal of benefits currently being paid to office holders, Cabinet has agreed to retain the practice of allowing the exemption of import duty, VAT and motor vehicle taxes for MPs.