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Opposition calls for 'divide' but abstains from voteBY Balford Henry Observer writer balfordh@jamaicaobserver.com
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
THE current Parliament had its first 'divide' yesterday after Opposition MPs called for a split vote over the new National Minimum Wage, but abstained in the end.
Leader of Opposition Business Dr Peter Phillips called the "divide" after minister of labour and social security Pearnel Charles rejected a proposal from the Opposition to increase the new minimum from $3,700 per week to $4,000 or by 20 per cent.
CHARLES... (left) rejected Opposition proposal to further hike minimum wage PHILLIPS... (right) called the divide after Charles' rejection
The "divide" requires that all MPs present cast a vote for or against, or abstain.
In the end, all 26 Government members present voted in favour of the resolution increasing the minimum wage, while one Opposition MP, Ronnie Thwaites, voted against, and the other 22 Opposition MPs abstained.
The vote came on the eve of today's resumption of bipartisan talks between Government and Opposition leaders at Vale Royal.
The Opposition's decision to call a "divide" seemed to have been triggered by the fact that at the time it seemed to have had more members in the chamber than the Government. However, the Government's chief whip, Andrew Gallimore, was busy gathering members and in the end collected the 26 MPs in the chamber. Two Government MPs - Daryl Vaz and James Robertson - entered just after the voting concluded.
Thwaites (Central Kingston) gave no indication why he insisted on voting "no" but has often manifested an independent line in the House. It was obvious that the Opposition MPs, led by Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller, backed off voting against the resolution after it became clear that they would have lost the count. Ten members, five from either side, were absent for the vote.
A "divide" is not normally called over the minimum wage, which is usually passed without any division, although Opposition MPs normally press for a larger increase, while the Government explains its limitations in setting a higher figure.
The new National Minimum Wage of $3,700 per 40-hour work week, up from $3,200, announced by Charles in the House last week Tuesday, came into effect on Monday. New minimum hourly rates for security guards, as well as increases in the fringe benefits also became effective on Monday.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
THE current Parliament had its first 'divide' yesterday after Opposition MPs called for a split vote over the new National Minimum Wage, but abstained in the end.
Leader of Opposition Business Dr Peter Phillips called the "divide" after minister of labour and social security Pearnel Charles rejected a proposal from the Opposition to increase the new minimum from $3,700 per week to $4,000 or by 20 per cent.
CHARLES... (left) rejected Opposition proposal to further hike minimum wage PHILLIPS... (right) called the divide after Charles' rejection The "divide" requires that all MPs present cast a vote for or against, or abstain.
In the end, all 26 Government members present voted in favour of the resolution increasing the minimum wage, while one Opposition MP, Ronnie Thwaites, voted against, and the other 22 Opposition MPs abstained.
The vote came on the eve of today's resumption of bipartisan talks between Government and Opposition leaders at Vale Royal.
The Opposition's decision to call a "divide" seemed to have been triggered by the fact that at the time it seemed to have had more members in the chamber than the Government. However, the Government's chief whip, Andrew Gallimore, was busy gathering members and in the end collected the 26 MPs in the chamber. Two Government MPs - Daryl Vaz and James Robertson - entered just after the voting concluded.
Thwaites (Central Kingston) gave no indication why he insisted on voting "no" but has often manifested an independent line in the House. It was obvious that the Opposition MPs, led by Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller, backed off voting against the resolution after it became clear that they would have lost the count. Ten members, five from either side, were absent for the vote.
A "divide" is not normally called over the minimum wage, which is usually passed without any division, although Opposition MPs normally press for a larger increase, while the Government explains its limitations in setting a higher figure.
The new National Minimum Wage of $3,700 per 40-hour work week, up from $3,200, announced by Charles in the House last week Tuesday, came into effect on Monday. New minimum hourly rates for security guards, as well as increases in the fringe benefits also became effective on Monday.