Gov't passes pension bill to give ex-presidents $49,500 a month

The opposition on Friday presented two different views of the government's bill that dramatically increase pensions for past heads of state.

The bill, which passed in the House of Representatives with the government's strong majoritiy, raised the pension of past presidents to $49,500 a month, which is the same amount that the current president receives as his regular salary.

The surviving spouses of past presidents will get two thirds of that. The widow of former president Noor Hassanali will see her monthly pension go up to about $33,000 from the figure of just under $10,000 a month.

Two surviving past presidents - Sir Ellis Clarke and Arthur N.R. Robinson - will each get the full revised pension of $49,500 a month.

Robinson receives a number of other benefits, which the Manning Cabinet authorized, such as the payment of the salary of a nurse, two tax-free vehicles and a driver.

Oropouche East MP Roodal Moonilal called the pension adjustment a payoff for Robinson for handing Patrick Manning the government on Christmas Eve 2001, to end the impasse over the 18-18 tie in the general election.

Moonilal supported his charge of a payback to Robinson by noting that while Robinson received all kinds of special favours, Hassanali, got none.

He also said it was unfair to deal only with three individuals and not conduct a comprehensive review for all high level public officers. He asked for the government to provide the formula that it used to arrive at the figure.

Moonilal suggested that it is unfair to give this privilege to former presidents, noting that while in office presidents don't have to pay for anything and should be able to save for their retirement. Based on all that, he said, the government should withdraw the bill.

But Moonilal's parliamentary colleague Jack Warner disagreed with that reasoning. The Chaguanas West MP said he understands the plight of former presidents.

"Sometimes I feel to cry for Sir Ellis," he said, adding that he knew the suffering of Mrs Hassanali. Warner said it was "irrelevant" to the debate whether Robinson brought the PNM into office, adding that what is signficant is that it is now becoming clear that the Parliament is usurping the function of the Salaries Review Commission.

He agreed with Moonilal's suggestion of increasing pension benefits for public servants, saying that for the measure should be extended to include all classes of public workers. And he went further.

"What about the old aged and disabled? It appears conceptually incongruent that you would want to cater for a former head of State and not consider the needs of our parents and grandparents," Warner said.

"What about the old aged pensioners? What about the differently-abled? Why not set a date at which a review must be made of their pensions? Should the State not legislate to review their pensions on a stated date? Are they not in greater need and require greater comfort in their old age?

"We must therefore level the playing field. We must ensure equity in the system and equality before the law? We cannot safeguard a former president and ignore our senior citizens."