MPs squabble over fraction staff number

PHILIPSBURG–What is the fairest number of staff members for each party’s fraction in Parliament was the focus of the first sitting of the 2018-2020 parliamentary year. This debate in the Central Committee of Parliament on Wednesday came against the backdrop of continued business closures and layoffs elsewhere in the country due to the ravages of Hurricane Irma.

  Before Members of Parliament (MPs) was a proposal from the presidium of Parliament to change the allotment by cutting the number of staff by one each for the one-seat to four-seat parties. Currently, a one-seater is entitled to a staff of two. Those parties with two to four seats can have a maximum of three staffers and a cap of four staffers is in place for parties with five or more seats. This allotment has been in place since 2011.

  The new proposal, objected to by almost all MPs, calls for staff members to mirror the number of MPs in the party’s fraction.

  The decision to revamp the staff allocation was proposed by the past Parliament in 2017 though no reason for the change of direction was stated in Wednesday’s session. The advice stemming from that decision was approved by the outgoing presidium on March 29 and tabled yesterday to the new Parliament to continue the process.

  MP for the one-seat St. Maarten Christian Party Wycliffe Smith (SMCP) objected to the proposal, saying it will “hinder” the fraction’s functioning and “the extra work will fall on the shoulders of the MP.”

  He questioned if the smaller fractions can get support, legal and otherwise, from Parliament’s Secretariat when needed. Parliament Chairwoman Sarah Wescot-Williams said a lawyer will join the Secretariat’s staff as of September 1 to aid all 15 MPs to draft legislation.

  MP Christophe Emmanuel of the five-seat National Alliance (NA), said he was “deeply disturbed” by the proposal, describing it as “a blatant example of unfairness to the small man.” He called for all fractions to be “on fair and equal footing.”  

  MP Silveria Jacobs (NA) said fractions should be able to determine what staff they needed based on a budget. She and fellow NA parliamentarian Ardwell Irion disagreed with the new proposal. They both called for two to three staff members for smaller parties and a cap off four or five for larger ones.

  Jacobs also pointed out that fraction staff, many of whom have been employed since the inception of Parliament in 2010, have not received a salary increase. This is a matter, she felt, must be addressed as soon as possible. She believes lower salaries means posts on the administrative side of the legislature will suffer from lack of interest among candidates.

  MP Frans Richardson of the two-seat United St. Maarten Party (US Party) called for the proposal to be retracted, saying it “weakens the fractions.” He is willing to work with in the budget, but wants to keep current staff.

  Fellow US Party MP Rolando Brison agreed with Richardson, saying that at minimum a faction should have two staffers for legal and administrative work.  

  MP Theo Heyliger (United Democrats) said he agreed with equality for all, but that equality will have to be across the board. His stance was that larger parties, such as his with seven seats, should not be penalised. The larger fractions will have a heavier workload, thus requiring more staff, Heyliger noted.

  The new scenario seeks to put the ratio of one fraction staff to each MP. This proposal will hit new fraction SMCP, coalition partner of the United Democrats, the hardest.  

  Giving a one-seat faction access to some three staffers “pushes ship jumping,” Heyliger said, countering the argument of other MPs, saying “we might as well then all become independent” to get access to a larger staff.

  Wescot-Williams warned MPs that time was of the essence in deciding on the staff allocation as without a solid decision none of the four fractions can hire anyone. Richardson proposed that the legislature continues the discussion on Friday in another sitting of the legislature. This is yet to be agreed upon.

  In addition to figuring out staff allocation, Parliament has to adopt a function book for fraction staff.

 A severance package for fraction staff is also to be worked out as none is in place. The proposal from the presidium is to make the package in line with that of employees of a minister’s cabinet. The introduction of the severance package will not come into place for another three years.

  Employees of the fractions and of the seven ministers’ cabinet are all political appointees.

Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/75819-mps-squabble-over-fraction-staff-number

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