THE House of Representatives held a public meeting yesterday afternoon on the Fitial administration’s proposed resumption of austerity Fridays and imposition of unpaid holidays to reduce the cash-strapped government’s payroll by at least 10 percent, but employees said officials whose salaries are constitutionally protected should also share the “pain.”
These officials include the governor, the lt. governor, lawmakers, judges and justices.
The administration has announced the reduction by $1,000 every month on each lawmaker’s miscellaneous fund, which amounts to over $99,000 annually, under the continuing budget resolution.
House Ways and Means Chairman Ramon S. Basa, Covenant-Saipan, called for a meeting yesterday afternoon to discuss budget issues.
According to the proposed FY 2010 $150.5 million budget of the administration, the government pays over $119 million for its estimated 3,611 personnel.
This figure does not include those employed with autonomous government agencies which have separate budgets every year.
If 26 austerity days are observed in one fiscal year, the government’s personnel expenses would be reduced to $112 million.
If 52 austerity days or about 20 percent of the government’s work load are taken off by closing public offices every Friday instead of every other Friday, personnel expenses would go down to over $104 million every year.
But rank and file employees said the problem with the austerity measure is that there are too many exemptions, including those who are trying to implement it.
“Sixty-four hours per payroll would kill us,” said a government employee who requested anonymity. “The prices of food have gone up. The utilities have gone up. What will be left to us after our deductions for our Retirement Fund contribution and other deductions?”
Another employee said the disparity of their salaries is too high compared to the pay of top officials.
“These lawmakers should volunteer to share our burden. They will enact a law that will reduce our pay yet their salaries will remain the same. That is not fair,” she said.
In FY 2007 the government closed public offices every other Friday. Some lawmakers, including the governor and the lt. governor, volunteered to reduce their salaries.
Sources close to Speaker Froilan C. Tenorio, Covenant-Saipan, said he may ask his colleagues to accept pay cuts by at least 10 percent.
Rep. Raymond D. Palacios, Covenant-Saipan, said he, too, is willing to see his salary reduced, but other lawmakers remain noncommittal.
