Report is discriminatory as pension for youth parliamentarians not included - Maharaj

Opposition MP and Parliamentary Emoluments Committee member Alvick Maharaj says it is discriminatory that the pension of Parliamentarians was not part of their report since members who have not reached the age of 55 years are also giving their time, devotion, and work as the same as any other member of any age category sitting in this parliament.

While speaking on the motion to debate and vote on the salary increases recommended for the President, Speaker, Ministers, Assistant Ministers and MPs this afternoon, Maharaj said he would like to raise this issue as he was not in consensus with this particular issue when it came to the committee and unfortunately, it was not reflected in the report.

He says he has been representing youths in Parliament for the past 10 years as he entered Parliament at the age of 30 years.

He adds that he thinks it’s discriminatory against the youths who are categorised and won’t be getting the full pension just because they entered the parliament at a younger stage.

Parliament has this afternoon approved the salary increases for the President, Speaker, Ministers, Assistant Ministers and MPs.

40 MPs voted for the salary changes, 7 voted against it and 5 abstained.