In unprecedented development, the Zambian Government has for the first time failed to pay gratuity to Members of Parliament (MPs), a source at Cabinet Office has disclosed.
The source said Members of Parliament were supposed to be paid their mid-term gratuity by the Second Week of September but to date nothing has been paid.
“We have a lot of pressure. This government has failed to run the economic affairs of the country. I can confirm to you now that MP’s have not been paid their gratuity up to now,” the source said.
The source said money was supposed to be credited to MP’s bank accounts before parliament resumed but up to now there are no signs of the MP’s being paid their mid term gratuity.
“The central government is taking advantage of the public opinion on MP’s. They know that once MP’s complain, members of the public will see them as selfish individuals. That is why MP’s are quite but the truth is that they are entitled to that,” the source said.
In the past, the issue of MP gratuities has become a public controversy, as some wealthier MPs have donated their salaries to get good publicity, while other MPs have been criticised for calling for increases.
To help with discharging parliamentary responsibilities, each MP draws a net monthly salary of approximately K23,000. This includes a special allowance, utility allowance and a motor vehicle maintenance allowance. At the end of their term, MP’s receive a gratuity of 100 percent of their total parliamentary salary which is paid out twice, once in the third year as an advance (the so-called mid-term gratuity) and the balance in the fifth year.
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