So, what did the social partners have to say about the pay cut yesterday in the Senate's version of the budget debate?
That meeting went for 10 hours, and it ended while our newscast was in full swing. So tonight, we have a bit more for you from the social partner senators.
Hon. Kevin Herrera - Business Senator "Madam President, the key to getting back on track is for us to do all that is possible to get the private sector going again. Getting the private sector going again is not conservative economics. It is expansionary in effect; it injects life into the economy."
Hon. Elena Smith - Senator, Labour and Civil Society "As I make my contributions, Madam President. I can't stop but think that I am going to be present on a budget that will see our workers get one of the most difficult labour day gifts one could ever receive. Instead of a ‘thank you' for the work that we have done, it seems we'll be getting a ‘to hell with you.' As I speak on behalf of the working class, Madam President, and as we address the persisting consequences of national economic mismanagement, which is now further aggravated by the pandemic, it makes you wonder, how much more can we take? As teachers, we are expected - and our public servants as well - we are being told that we should sacrifice, and we should sacrifice our ability to provide for our families, to educate ourselves and our children, while our ministers keep their entertainment allowance, their telephone allowance, but yet, we, the workers of this nation, must be the one to make all the sacrifice, it seems. And yes, I am sure that I will hear that these persons are willing to give up 10% of their salaries, and yes, they're willing to give up a portion of their allowances, but as was said earlier, Madam President, when you look at that, and you compare what that my 10% or my fellow public officers' 10% will equal, there's no comparison there, one whatsoever. And we're being told, Madam President, that we must put country before self-interest. Now I wonder how many of us are aware of the many times that we, as teachers, have put our country before ourselves."
Hon. Osmany Salas - NGO Senator "The NGO community is split on the question of whether that salary cut should be supported or not. A little over half believe that it should not be done. And just under half are of the opinion that there's no other way. So, it's one of those difficult ones."
At the end of the debate, the Senate passed the budget after a division was called. 8 senators voted yes, 4 voted no, and 1 abstained.
