The pay of members of Parliament should reflect employment realities, according to the Forum of Trade Unions.
In principle, it said it agreed with measures that would make the Maltese Parliament operate on a more professional level. However, it added, remuneration had to reflect the reality of Maltese workers, who were the backbone of society.
The unions were reacting to a report by a government-appointed commission which recommended generous salary increases. It is being proposed that MPs who opt to become full-time would receive up to €60,000 per year.
Part-timers’ honoraria would rise from €20,000 to €30,000. The Prime Minister’s salary would increase by 90 per cent, to over €94,000, while Cabinet members, the Opposition leader and the Speaker would get about €70,000.