Vanuatu's opposition is appealing for the PM to stop planned increases to ministers allowances and officials, saying they are inappropriate.
Ralph Regenvanu, leader of the opposition in Vanuatu. Photo: Hilaire Bule
Opposition leader Ralph Regenvanu said the proposed increases were completely unjustified.
"If this decision is implemented it will increase inequality in the country while reducing equity and heightening the general public's sense of injustice," he said.
"The proposal will increase the prime minister's housing allowance by over 230 percent, the deputy prime minister's by 200 percent and ministers' by 150 percent.
He said it would also increase political advisers salaries to the level of the Director General, meaning they would be paid about 15 times the minimum wage.
Regenvanu said Prime Minister Bob Loughman should consider the message the move sends to people in Vanuatu, with many currently experiencing significant hardship.
"Such extravagant self-enrichment from tax-payers' money by our leaders also directly contradicts our national professed values of Christian principles and traditional Melanesian values," he said.
Status comes from how much a person gives, rather than how much they own, according to Melanesian tradition he explained.
The decision would also contradict "key elements of our national vision" set out in the Sustainable Development Plan - The People's Plan, he said. That plan "speaks of a just and inclusive society and a stable economy based on equitable, sustainable growth."
"There is nothing just, inclusive or equitable about this proposal; rather it is unjust, exclusive and unequitable.
"The housing allowances enjoyed by the prime minister and ministers are already generous.
"Many ministers already live in their private houses and in government-allocated houses, and many government houses allocated to ministers remain empty while they rent elsewhere. "
Government public relations officer Fred Vurobaravu said the government decided to increase the housing allowances of the PM and his ministers due to the high cost of living in Vanuatu.
He said the government would also review minimum wages when borders re-open and businesses recover.
Proposals for changes to remuneration for politicians and political appointees are the mandate of the Government Remuneration Tribunal (GRT), not the Council of Ministers.
These increases have not been included in the 2022 budget, which was passed less than a month ago by parliament. But, if implemented, they would add almost 100 million vatu to government expenditure for next year.
Regenvanu also reiterated a call from the opposition bloc made last year for a 50 percent cut to position allowances for the PM, deputy PM, speaker of parliament all government ministers, and the leader and deputy leader of the opposition.
Regenvanu said he didn't want to personally benefit from the proposed new allowance increases, or salary increases for Ministers, and called on the PM not to include the Leader of the Opposition.
"I don't want it at all," he said.