No double salary for newest MP

Daniëlla Sumter yesterday was sworn in as the newest member of parliament. She will fill the position of former MP Andre Misiekaba who recently became the minister of Social Affairs and Housing (Sozavo). Sumter has reportedly vacated her position as deputy director at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism (HIT) in order to fully commit herself to her tasks as legislator. She has completely distanced herself from her previous profession which means that she will not receive a double salary and that she has therefore joined the small group of MPs who do not want to burden the treasury and only want to receive one salary.

Parliament has always shrouded the salaries, bonuses and travel expenses of its members in secrecy and always refers to certain laws without mentioning any exact figures. Such issues are only discussed behind closed doors. Last year the chairwoman of parliament, Jennifer GeerlingsSimons, pointed out that 61 percent or 31 of the 51 MPs receive a double salary from the government. Parliament which is currently still addressing the issue as an internal matter has announced that it wants to detach the salaries of MPs from the salary system for state employees. The announcement came in response to fierce criticism from the people. The people complained that the politicians benefit the most from salary hikes as they also receive a raise of thousands of Surinamese dollars whenever the state employees are given a small raise. Given their double salaries, the MPs receive a double salary hike. Sumter will not face this criticism as she has already dropped her state employee’s salary. Derryl Boetoe was initially next in line to replace Misiekaba in parliament but he preferred to remain director at the Central for Fishing Harbors in Suriname (Cevihas).