There have been mixed reactions from Parliamentarians to news that their travel benefits with Air Jamaica will be slashed as part of cost cutting measures at the airline.
Reports emerged Wednesday that Minister Without Portfolio in the Finance Ministry Senator Don Wehby will be taking a submission to Cabinet on Monday calling for the annual number of free first class trips provided to Members of Parliament (MPs) and Senators as well as their spouses to be cut from four to two.
It is reported that the intention is to eventually phase out the policy of providing free trips to Parliamentarians.
Unfortunate, it helped me - Hay Webster
MP for South Central St. Catherine Sharon Hay Webster said she has been using the benefit and it is unfortunate that it would be reduced.
Mrs. Hay Webster told RJR News that it has proven to be handy especially in cases where there is no money to cover her air fare on official business.
"I've also utilized those in respect of ability to respond to invitations that I've had from overseas ... I was able to use these benefits within the package of the compensation to Parliamentarians," said Mrs. Hay Webster.
Pay MPs properly & cut out perks - Thwaites
MP for Central Kingston Ronnie Thwaites said the removal will have no impact on him as he has never used it.
"My reaction is that they should pay Parliamentarians properly and cut out all of those extras. I haven't used it and I don't intend to," Mr. Thwaites.
For Government MP James Robertson slashing the travel benefit is a minor matter.
He said persons elected to serve as MPs should focus on carrying out their duties instead of harping on the removal of perks and benefits.
"Let's get on with the work, whatever the Cabinet agrees to I will serve without thinking about what I'm losing as a benefit because I didn't come here for free airline tickets.
I will also say that there are a lot of us in the Cabinet and in many other places serving this government who are not getting considerations and perks that are supposed to be part of the job such as cars etc.," said Mr. Robertson.
The removal of complimentary travel tickets to MPs was one of the proposals put forward by trade unions for the cash strapped Air Jamaica to cut costs.
Reports emerged Wednesday that Minister Without Portfolio in the Finance Ministry Senator Don Wehby will be taking a submission to Cabinet on Monday calling for the annual number of free first class trips provided to Members of Parliament (MPs) and Senators as well as their spouses to be cut from four to two.
It is reported that the intention is to eventually phase out the policy of providing free trips to Parliamentarians.
Unfortunate, it helped me - Hay Webster
MP for South Central St. Catherine Sharon Hay Webster said she has been using the benefit and it is unfortunate that it would be reduced.
Mrs. Hay Webster told RJR News that it has proven to be handy especially in cases where there is no money to cover her air fare on official business.
"I've also utilized those in respect of ability to respond to invitations that I've had from overseas ... I was able to use these benefits within the package of the compensation to Parliamentarians," said Mrs. Hay Webster.
Pay MPs properly & cut out perks - Thwaites
MP for Central Kingston Ronnie Thwaites said the removal will have no impact on him as he has never used it.
"My reaction is that they should pay Parliamentarians properly and cut out all of those extras. I haven't used it and I don't intend to," Mr. Thwaites.
For Government MP James Robertson slashing the travel benefit is a minor matter.
He said persons elected to serve as MPs should focus on carrying out their duties instead of harping on the removal of perks and benefits.
"Let's get on with the work, whatever the Cabinet agrees to I will serve without thinking about what I'm losing as a benefit because I didn't come here for free airline tickets.
I will also say that there are a lot of us in the Cabinet and in many other places serving this government who are not getting considerations and perks that are supposed to be part of the job such as cars etc.," said Mr. Robertson.
The removal of complimentary travel tickets to MPs was one of the proposals put forward by trade unions for the cash strapped Air Jamaica to cut costs.
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