Mliswa threatens to sue Govt, Parly over his poor $1,800 salary?

Norton legislator Mr Temba Mliswa has threatened to sue the Government and Parliament over poor remuneration for parliamentarians.

Mr Mliswa said this in the National Assembly yesterday while raising a point of privilege on parliamentarians' welfare.

"The welfare of the parliamentarians must be attended to, according to what we have agreed failure of which we shall approach the Constitutional Court," he said.

Mr Mliswa said Government was ignoring recommendations made by the Standing Rules and Orders Committee on MPs welfare.

"The SROC is the highest decision making body in Parliament, but its decisions are not respected at all by the Executive," he said.

The Norton legislator said their salaries and allowances had been eroded by inflation.

"Despite the high inflation MPs have not been given any increment. The Constituency Development Fund of $50 000 which was given means nothing to date," Mr Mliswa said.

"The allowances which MPs are getting of $75 is around US$7 to date."

MPs earn approximately $1 800 and $75 as sitting allowance while civil servants earn $400.

Mr Mliswa also said Parliament had reduced money due to parliamentarians to purchase vehicles from the agreed $80 000 for each MP to $50 000 without consultations. He added that Parliament staff salaries were also low making it difficult for them to carry out their oversight role. He added the issue of their welfare was not being taken seriously as it comes up in every parliamentary session.

Early this year MPs demanded that they be served three full-course meals a day, plus dessert while attending Parliamentary sittings while debating the National Budget.

They also said Parliament should provide gym facilities or to pay membership and subscription fees for them at sports clubs for recreational purposes.