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The latest packages are reportedly meant to pacify restless lawmakers who have gone for three years without being paid their sitting, travel and subsistence allowances though others say the Finance Minister was trying to curry favour with MPs in light of the furore that arose over his Appropriations Bill which was referred back to the Lower House by Senate.
Some MPs close to the matter said Minister Biti would raise their salaries from an average US$400 to between US$900 and US$1 200 with effect from January next year.
After the increase, Zimbabwe’s MPs will, however, still remain the lowest paid in the region with their counterparts reportedly earning an average US$5 000 per month with Kenyan MPs being the highest paid at around US$10 000.
The legislators also disclosed that their debts arising from the vehicle loan scheme would be cancelled.
This means Treasury would have to fork out around US$4 million in the acquisition of new cars for about 270 legislators depending on the make.
Government forked out US$6 million last year to buy Mazda BT50 double cab trucks which were going for around US$25 000 each. – The Herald
Online Reporter