GOVERNMENT’S HEARTLESSNESS, SRC’S INCOMPETENCE

IT is instructive that big boys were talking about massive salary increases for themselves on a day the working class marched for their decade-old pay talks.

The Salaries Review Commission’s (SRC) proposals were also presented at a time when heavy floods ruined homes, farmlands, and animals, creating more hardship for common people.

Against these and other distresses, the Government presented the SRC’s proposals, with a straight face.

That illustrates how detached and aloof our nation’s leaders have become.

Now, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley and other beneficiaries will disavow any interest in pay hikes at this time, on the eve of a crucial general election.

But when the SRC originally presented its report last February, Cabinet sent it back for the Commission to also consider increases for the judiciary.

The Cabinet did not reject the report.

Rowley and others did not argue that they are undeserving of more money at a time when workers are eking out a living on 2013 wages amid skyrocketing cost of living.

They did not agonise about the growing poverty and the inability of thousands of people to pay their bills.

They did not comment on the expanding underclass.

Who are the callous people recommending pay hikes for politicians and others at this time of national pain?

SRC’s chairman is Nicole Ferreira-Aaron, a commercial attorney.

Sandra Marchack, a former Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister, is a member, along with Howard Dottin, Chrisendath Mahabir, and Charles Martin de Gannes.

Apart from their obvious heartlessness and prejudice, there are legitimate questions about their competence.

The SRC recommended higher salaries for the chair of the Elections and Boundaries Commission and Public Accounts Commission than for Members of Parliament.

The heads of these commissions are already pocketing more than a senator.

MPs are elected and do duties as constituency representatives and as legislators.

Senators help to make laws and serve on various committees.

The SRC’s ineptitude is matched by the Government’s lack of care for the mass of struggling nationals.

It is mind-boggling that the nation’s leaders could consider taking home more pay at a time when many can barely sustain their families.