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POLITICIANS’ PAY CUTS SUSPENDED

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MBABANE – Suspended till further notice!

In a sudden turn of events, there will be no major cuts in the salary structure of the current politicians at least for now. This is because government, through the Ministry of Finance, has suspended the implementation of Finance Circular No.3 of 2019, whose aim was to be the guiding instrument for the remuneration of politicians of the 11th Parliament. This effectively means that the politicians will continue to be paid through Circular No.2 of 2013. Government had initially announced that the new circular would be effective from October 1, 2019.

Implementation

Finance Minister Neal Rijkenberg confirmed the latest developments, saying the decision to defer the implementation of the Circular was taken late last week and that the ministry had already sent letters to the various departments concerned. He explained that there was a host of complaints from various parties who either raised concerns or sought clarity in the whole t remuneration policy. However, impeccable sources have revealed that some of the aggrieved parties further placed their concerns with the relevant authorities. Another argument, it has been gathered, was that labour laws did not allow an employee to be left worse off in terms of remuneration, especially if they had once earned a particular benefit.

The sources further said it was feared that some of the politicians may further decide to approach the courts. The initial report concerning the politicians’ remuneration had been forwarded for consideration by the Phil Mnisi-led Royal Commission. It was further disclosed that the Circular may again be returned to the Royal Commission for adjustments to try and address some of the concerns raised. However, it was revealed that it was wrong for the affected parties to have a say on what benefits they wanted.

Affected

Those affected include Cabinet, parliamentarians (MPs, senators, Tindvuna Tetinkhundla and Bucopho), Emabandla and other commissions. Members of Parliament have already been informed by Rijkenberg of the latest developments. In explaining the turn of events, the minister told parliamentarians that the terms and conditions of service for politicians in the Kingdom of Eswatini were duly done through a finance circular.

 

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