Furious over ‘delay’ in the payment of their
gratuity, CCM Members of Parliament have threatened to disrupt President
Jakaya Kikwete’s final address in the House later today.
Sources say the MPs are unhappy with the pay that the government
has proposed and they want the matter be discussed before any other
House affairs may proceed.
“The government wants to give a ‘golden handshake’ of only
160m/-...we were expecting to be paid at least 230m/-,’’ said one of the
MPs who preferred anonymity.
So intent were the MPs that the National Assembly Deputy Speaker,
Job Ndugai was forced to adjourn the evening session to give room for
the law makers to discuss the matter.
As a result, among the affected affairs of the House is the matter
of the tabled Teachers’ Service Commission Act 2015 which the MPs lagged
about and did not endorse until the House was adjourned.
Earlier when responding to a query from Sumve MP, Richard Ndassa,
the Deputy Speaker said the matter of benefits due after their five year
tenure, is under the Steering Committee.
“The Steering Committee is meeting with Speaker Anne Makinda the
committee’s chairperson over the matter,” he tried to appease the MPs.
However, seeking the Deputy Speaker’s guidance, MP Ndassa pointed
out that; “Our minds are not settled because this matter touches our
welfare.”
“It would be ideal if we debate this issue and reach a conclusion
before we continue with the debate on the Teachers’ Service Commission
Bill, 2015,” he insisted.
The issue on gratuity payment was firstly brought in the House by
Nzega MP, Dr Hamis Kigwangala who wanted the Chairman, Mussa Azzan Zungu
to allow the MPs to debate the matter citing that it will be difficult
for them to demand their pay after the House is dissolved.
According to the House timetable, President Jakaya Kikwete is expected to dissolve the 20th parliament today afternoon.
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