The Sierra Leone Parliament on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, will commence discussion on a proposed Welfare Bill that is yet to be in front of the House for consideration, according to a release from its public relations department.
The proposed Welfare Bill was initially a leaked document that was seen by the media titled, "Parliamentary Welfare Act 2022." The document, which suggests Sierra Leone would have to spend a total of $2,189,000 US dollars per year on medical allowance for 146 Members of Parliament and an additional $3,650,000 US dollars for vehicle allowance per session, has now become a topic of discussion for Members of Parliament.
Earlier information from the office of the Clerk of Parliament on the leaked document said, "Parliament has nothing to do with the above-mentioned bill," though it acknowledged seeing the leaked gazetted document on social media.
The Leader of Government Business, the Honourable Matthew Sahr Nyuma, expressed disappointment at the public bashing of parliamentarians on the proposed bill. He hinted, "It will not be a secret to present a bill to Parliament on Members of Parliament's welfare."
He cited Section 74(4) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, which suggests that "Members of Parliament shall be entitled to such salaries, allowances, gratuities, pensions, and such other benefits as may be prescribed by Parliament."
He further mentioned a bill affecting private rights from Parliamentary Standing Order 61, as the basis for his argument on the proposed welfare bill. However, he described the action as one that would be "in the best interest" of the nation.
The Leader of Government Business is making an assuring statement on behalf of his constituency and the nation, in particular, that if Sierra Leone spends a total of $2,189,000 US dollars per year on medical allowance for 146 Members of Parliament and an additional $3,650,000 US dollars for vehicle allowance per session, it is "in the best interest" of the country.
The leaked document went public when teachers were on strike demanding a better condition of service, when the capital was battling with electricity supply, and when the country had experienced a third increase in the pump price of fuel within a year. Yet, the bill is "in the best interest" of Sierra Leone.
The Acting Leader of the Opposition, Honourable Ibrahim Ben Kargbo, emphasized that Parliament is not going to "apologize to anyone" for seeking its welfare. He confirmed, "As opposition, we are in support of the Welfare Bill." He called the social media shaming "unacceptable," and said their working conditions must be improved by Sierra Leone's 1991 Constitution.
A press statement from the Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI), dated June 7, 2022, seeks to draw the attention of the government, civil society organizations, and citizens to stop the initiative by Parliament to increase the salaries of the Members of Parliament.
The rights campaigners said, "The attempt to increase MPs’ salaries, including benefits such as wardrobe allowances, demonstrates that our legislative is tone-deaf to the continued suffering of the people of Sierra Leone."
For years now, people have suffered harsh economic and social impacts of the global pandemic, coupled with multiple failures by the government to deliver on the promises they made four years ago. They believed, that if by any chance, the current parliament passed into law such a law, it tends to cause more economic challenges to the poor West African nation’s citizens.
The Leader of the National Grand Coalition (NGC) party, Honourable Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, supports the position of the Leader of Government Business, saying, "Sometimes, controversies are important in the practices of democracy, and it can help the people understand the dynamics."
While the acting Leader of the Coalition for Change (C4C), Honourable Rebecca Yei Kamara, said their conditions of service are "deplorable" because, according to her, "Members of Parliament barely drive their vehicles and buy fuel for themselves." Hence, her party is in "total support of the proposed bill," when it would be in front of the House of Parliament for discussion.
Notwithstanding, CHRDI believes that a strong representative democracy needs an open and transparent government and that politicians should represent their communities and protect the public interest, not their private interests.
The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Honourable Segepoh Solomon Thomas, confirmed his full support of submissions made by the Leaders of the House on the proposed Welfare Bill. He notes how issues of MPs should be a national conversation point and stresses that "Members of Parliament are the most indebted people in Sierra Leone," he asserts. "The public should know that MPs are being harassed every day at work," he said.
However, the rights-based public social-policy advocacy organizations expressed their profound frustration with the leaked document that has been confirmed. It clearly said they are not against rewarding hard work, but if parliamentarians want higher salaries, they must show what they have done to bring the bread and butter to the people’s tables.
CHRDI cites how women in rural communities still have to beg for a square meter of land to plant food for their children; hence, nothing has changed for them. It said, "When things get better for many of the hardworking mothers of our land, then our parliamentarians can until then morally request an increase in their salaries too."
The Speaker of Parliament, Hon.Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu said he believed that the entire country is not against the welfare of MPs, but said it is just a tiny fraction of the general public. He said that, as a speaker, he understands the plight and suffering of MPs. He noted that Sierra Leone is not the poorest country in the world and referenced Uganda, Ghana, Kenya, and Liberia by using their national constitutions and national budgets in tandem with upgrading the welfare of MPs.
He assured the general public that anything Parliament intended to do about the welfare of MPs would follow the due process of the law, whilst noting that Parliament is transparent, open, and accountable in its doings.
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