Earlier this week Parliamentary representative for St. George’s North East speaking in parliament was seeking a pay increase for himself. Mr. Tobias Clement who does not hold a cabinet position monthly salary is a EC $1200.00.
In the last parliament Mr. Clement and other Parliamentarians without a ministry was in error receiving the salary of a full government minister. The NNP government reelected on March 13th has now corrected the error saving the Grenadian Tax Payers millions.
It is only right that these parliamentary representatives should be ask to pay back the over payment. A parliamentary representative is only required to attend parliament meetings averaging one to three days per month. Compare to a full Cabinet Minister who is required to report daily to head his ministry, travel on government business and perform other duties.
A Parliamentarian who does not head a ministry can perform his own private practice as a Lawyer or Doctor. Those that are not able to perform their own private practice will have to seek employment in the private sector.
Mr. Clement who boasted of his lucrative employment with the St. George’s University was also receiving the salary of a full minister in the last parliament. How could he perform two full time jobs at the same time? One or both employers are getting short changed.
SGU must have learnt of his position because he could not keep his mouth shut. The issue was highlighted by the NDC and circulated on social media in the recent election. Not surprising Mr. Clement was terminated by SGU and is now getting only a mere $1200 per month.
Mr. Clement is now in a position where he could feel the pain of ordinary Grenadians. Instead of fighting for Grenadians, he is now begging for a pay increase for himself. When his cup was full and running over for the last five years Clement never consider the poor workers who are fighting to provide for their families.
Where were the opposition when all this was going on? By now we should realize that the Hillary Clinton campaign slogan “When they go low we go high” doesn’t work in politics.
By T.L. Neckles
