The delegates turned down the request contained in the proposed budget which was passed on final and third reading Wednesday afternoon.
The delegates said that although an increase might be overdue , present financial situation of the country does not encourage a pay hike increase unless sources of funding is identified.The Senate earlier came out with its own version of the budget measure approving an increase of the president, vice president and ministers salaries. This however will only be allowed unless there are funds to pay the proposed increases.The proposed increase for the president’s salary is $100,000, $75,000 for vice president and $45,000 for the ministers, according to the Senate version.Currently the president receives $50,000, Vice president, $45,000 and ministers $30,000.The House Committee on Ways and Means chaired by Del. Jonathan Isechal said that the committee is still undecided on what will be the appropriate salary increase for the officials.The president’s proposed budget measure , he justified the increase and the amount to a level commensurate with their responsibilities and with the compensation paid to the members of the legislative and judicial branches of government .He said that the requested increases should be granted as a matter of equity and logic.In the budget measure, the president is proposing that he should receive an annual salary equal to the salary paid to the Chief Justice of the Palau Supreme Court.The Chief Justice is receiving $90,000 annually.He also proposed that the Vice President receive an annual salary equal to the salary paid to the highest paid Associate Justice of Palau Supreme Court.The measure also asked for increase in the salary of Ministers equal to salaries received by members of Congress.Members of Congress are receiving annual salaries of $50,000 each.
