PEC corrects media reports

 

The Parliamentary Entitlement Commission (PEC) has expressed disappointment over non-factual information carried by the local print media over the misrepresentation of salaries of Members of Parliament this week.

The print media’s report on a 60% salary hike for Members of Parliament effective 1st April 2019 had generated significant complaints especially on social media.

But PEC Chair, Johnson Siapu objected, this article was fallacious.

The PEC Chair emphasised, PEC conducted a wide consultation with its stakeholders including the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, Public Service Office, Transparency International, Central Bank of Solomon Islands, Development Service Exchange, Forum Solomon Islands International, Voice blo Mere, Parliament House Committee and agreed only on a 7 percent Cost of Living Adjustment effective first April, 2019.

“At the end of 2017, PEC began a series of consultations on the proposed amendments on MP’s salaries, and the tax free, based on the 3.5% cost of living allowance 2016 and 2017,” he said.

“All those consulted agreed to make amendments on the 7% COLA increase, so the commission had to implement this and awarded it in April 2019.”

He said, the figure was inline with the Public Service’s Cost of Living Adjustment of 3.5 percent respectively for 2016 and 2017 and would not be back dated.