'Reduce MPs’ pensions to overcome financial difficulties'
Manama : A parliamentarian yesterday urged to reduce the pensions of the parliamentarians to cope up with the “tough” economic circumstances prevailing.
Raising the issue, House of Representatives Member Fatima Al Asfoor said: “Representing people in the Legislative Authority and municipal councils should be a voluntary work”.
“It is irrational to pay a representative in return for his four years of service, what a public employee gets after 30 years of service,” she said.
Al Asfoor has submitted a bill to amend the first Article of Law 32 of 2009 with regards to the establishment of a Pension Fund and Retirement Benefits for the Members of the Shura Council, the Parliament and the Municipal Councils.
“The state spends huge amounts now for the purpose, which is also straining the general state budget,” Al Asfoor said adding, “It also against the principles of establishing the fund.”
MP Isa Al Kooheji also made a similar proposal last year to reduce legislators’ salaries to BD100 from BD2,000.
According to Council’s General Secretary Abdulla Al Dossary, the MPs are paid a total of BD2,750 a month, including allowances.
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