TUC condemns life pension, immunity for NASS leaders

The Trade Union Congress (TUC), Monday, condemned the proposed life pension for principal officers of the National Assembly, describing the move as ‘ungodly and disgraceful.’
A statement signed by President and Acting Secretary General of the TUC, Messrs Bala Kaigama and Si‎meso Amachree, respectively, also flayed the proposed immunity for the National Assembly leaders.
“The Trade Union Congress condemns and describes as unfortunate the proposed life pension for presiding officers of the National Assembly after their tenure in office, even at a time the economy has collapsed and brought about massive job losses and unprecedented poverty.
“We also insist that those who violate the law no matter how highly placed should face the wrath of the law,” they said.
The labour leaders said that it was ridiculous that if the lawmakers were not acquiring 108 jeeps, they would be increasing their allowances or awarding ‎contracts to themselves and their cronies.
“Is it not unfortunate that while we are yet to recover from the shock caused by some lawmakers who molested some white ladies in a hotel in the US, another drama is unfolding with the latest proposal of life pension for Senate president, deputy, Speaker of House of Representative and deputy?”
The labour ‎leaders argued that the benefits of the principal officers of the National Assembly were too juicy for them to demand more, insisting that ‘the excessive privileges for the ‎lawmakers was responsible for their desperation to cling onto their positions and should be reduced.’
They said that it was odd that a senator who did not initiate a bill in a year would earn more that the President of the United States.‎