Parliament gives 15% pay rise to staff

Parliament has announced a 15 percent salary increment for all its staff.
The decision was taken by the Parliamentary Service Board, and announced by the Speaker Prof. Mike Oquaye Wednesday night before the House rose for recess.
“The Board has approved 15 percent salary increment for all parliamentary service staff,” the Speaker said but did not give details relating to when it takes effect. “This will help them [the staff] perform better,” Prof. Oquaye added.
Delivering his closing remarks, Prof. Oquaye announced a number of approvals and decisions by the Parliamentary Service Board geared towards enhancing parliamentary business and the work of the legislators.
He said the Board has approved the establishment of a parliamentary assurance unit which he said will deal with matters that are raised on the floor of the House but would require further follow ups and attention.
Such matters, he said, would be tracked to ensure that they are acted upon, adding, “I believe that the adoption and implementation will contribute to enhancing the integrity of the House and its members.”
Again, he said approval has been given for the setting up of a legal department in parliament, noting recruitment for relevant staff to fill that department would be done.
“The Parliamentary Service Board has approved the establishment of a legal department in parliament, something which has been lacking for a very long time,” he told the members of parliament.
The Speaker also said the House will commission an inventory on all parliamentary lands and property, and look at the possibility of partnering developers to develop those properties.
“Offers will be invited from possible developers on public/private partnership basis where appropriate in order to develop lands and property, which are being taken away,” he said.
On the issue of reforms, the Speaker said the establishment of a parliamentary support reforms project office would ensure the introduction of reforms for improving performance and encouraging citizens participation of parliamentary process.
He underscored the need for parliamentary standing orders, noting that already some work have been done in that regard and urged those in charge to use the recess period to complete their work.
“There is the need for a massive review of the [parliamentary] standing orders,” he said, adding, “Use the recess to complete the review of the standing orders”.
He said it is important to incorporate the code of conduct approved in this House in the review of the standing orders.
Meanwhile, he said a committee has been set up by the Board to look into the recent fire outbreak at Job 600.