SMCP PLEDGE A CUT TO MPs SALARIES

The Sint Maarten Christian Party (SMCP) on Tuesday agreed, that when elected, they will submit a motion in Parliament, calling on MPs to lower the salary of parliament members by 15%.
The SMCP’s prospective parliamentarians are of the opinion that, given the financial predicament that the country is in during the period of post-hurricane Irma, members of parliament ought to be sympathetic towards our citizens who are suffering and in a symbolic gesture of empathy, should demonstrate their care and concern for the people of Sint Maarten.
By agreeing to reduce their salaries, MPs would be saying “we understand your hurt and pain and this is the least that we can do to stand with you”. The soon-to-be SMCP MPs are hoping that parliament will agree to make that reduction even higher.
In the event Parliament does not pass the motion to reduce the MPs salaries by 15%, then all the Christian Party MPs agree that they will voluntarily give 15% of their gross salary to a social-cultural Foundation (not named). This foundation should be established for the purpose of administering these funds. Their MPs can recommend to individuals or families in need that they can apply to the Foundation for financial assistance. None of SMCP board members nor its MPs may be on the board of this Foundation. The Membership of the Christian Party have also pledged to donate 5% of their salary to help build up the campaign funds of the Party.
Given the tough financial and economic times that Sint Maarten is currently facing, our people will be called upon to make certain financial sacrifices. The SMCP is of the opinion that parliamentarians and ministers should also be asked to make sacrifices as well and they should set the example.
###