Remengesau, whose term ended on Jan. 15 when he was sworn in as senator, said in an interview that he weighed the benefits of “ramming [the bill] through versus letting it go to the next [national legislature] to look at the proposal.”
Senate Bill 7-281 proposes significant pay raises for the president, vice president, cabinet ministers and government doctors.It will also amend the Uniform Compensation Act in compliance with the constitutional provision mandating uniform compensation for lawmakers. Moreover, the measure will establish the Palau Casino Gaming Control Commission to supervise controlled gaming in this island nation.“I have shared my concern regarding raising the salaries of high government officials and I think it’s very wrong timing now that the people are struggling with the rising costs of living,” Remengesau said. “It has to be taken in context with what we need to do with the rest of the government employees. It’s not good to just address the top government officials — the teachers, the nurses and the Public Safety employees, as well as many of our other hard working government civil service people also need adjustments to their salaries.”He added, “There was also no identified source of revenue for the proposes pay increases. They did not say where the money would come from. If we have to pay higher salaries and there is not enough revenues coming in it will further inflate the deficit. Down the road, the [national legislature needs to identify additional sources of revenue so that we can indeed see extra money to implement the salary increases.”Remengesau said he also opposed the bill’s casino provision.“I have to be consistent with my position all along that this is an industry that [needs the consent of] the people. We cannot simply ram it through as last-minute legislation without the input of our people,” he added.
