And if there's one thing the government and the unions can't agree on, it's the matter of ministerial allowances. Last night, the Prime Minister said they've already taken a 15% cut and that this is taking away from the finances they use to help their constituents. But BNTU president Elena Smith was not falling for that, saying the government needs to sacrifice more.
Elena Smith, President, BNTU
"How can you tell the people that you represent and you are saying that you care about these people and you are going home with a salary plus a allowance that equal to one of our salaries and we are asking you to cut out the ones that aren't necessary. Telephone, you can take out a telephone plan, you don't have to take out 1000 dollars for telephone. Entertainment, there's no one to entertain in this time so you can cut that. What is so difficult about that? We are not saying cut everything, we are saying take away those allowances that are not necessary at this time, if you want us to sacrifice too, because we are sacrificing and we have no allowances to depend on. He has allowances, community vote, all kind of thing. So sacrifice that as well."
