Wednesday, 16 September 2009

Committee aims to set council members’ pay


Wednesday, 16 September 2009 15:04 Kim Yuthana

The National Committee for Sub-national Democratic Development (NCDD) met Tuesday to discuss salaries for members of the capital, provincial, municipal and district councils.

A draft sub-decree would give a 1 million riel (US$241) monthly pay cheque to the heads of capital and provincial councils. Other members would receive 800,000 riels every month.

The heads of municipal and district councils would earn 700,000 riels a month, whereas other members would take home 500,000 riels.

Sak Setha, a secretary of state at the Ministry of Interior, said the sub-decree is aimed at encouraging councils to serve their citizens and enforce the law. Officials have worked without payment since being installed in May 2008.

Prak Channa, chairman of the Russey Keo district council, said he would be happy if the subdecree were approved.

“I believe that 700,000 riels payment will be enough to support my family and will be a big relief to me,” he said.

SRP parliamentarian Yim Sovann urged officials to serve the government and citizens without discrimination or corruption either way.

Prime Minister Hun Sen must give the sub-decree his approval before it takes effect. Officials with the NCDD said they did not know when the sub-decree would be submitted to the prime minister.

No comments: