The Home of Representatives on Tuesday permitted a long-anticipated job description and code of conduct for Jamaican Members of Parliament (MPs), marking a key step towards larger accountability and transparency within the nation’s legislative physique.
The movement was introduced ahead by Kerensia Morrison, MP for St Catherine North East and member of the Jamaica Labour Occasion, who described the transfer as “well timed,” citing rising public frustration over absentee MPs who proceed to gather full salaries regardless of not exhibiting as much as Parliament.
“Madam Speaker, this movement has come at a time juncture when Jamaicans are demanding requirements of efficiency and accountability from parliamentarians as they count on and deserve the best high quality of illustration from elected officers,” Morrison stated throughout her tackle to the Home.
She went on to criticize MPs who’re chronically absent, usually lacking sittings for prolonged durations whereas nonetheless showing in public and fascinating in political actions.
“One of many considerations raised within the public’s house is that there are Members of Parliament who’re absent from the sitting of the Home for weeks or months whereas accumulating full wage from Parliament and it raises criticism when members whose absence barring sickness is perpetual and power signing possibly as soon as each three months whereas showing hail and hearty in public going about common enterprise, politicking within the solar whereas they’ll’t attend Parliament,” she stated.
“It’s barefaced,” Morrison continued. “It is a transfer in the correct route, the place respect for the individuals who elected us can be made demonstrable by our attendance in Parliament. We are able to’t be absent from Parliament, however we’re on the market politicking, risking a solar stroke.”
Her remarks have been met with assist from colleagues throughout the aisle, together with St Andrew Western MP Anthony Hylton, who additionally contributed to the talk.
“Coming to Parliament is vital, [but] to my thoughts, crucial factor is that you just come right here and also you make a significant contribution. You possibly can’t come right here and say nothing, and once you do say one thing, it doesn’t transfer the needle in any respect. You’ve gotten members right here sitting, and I wouldn’t recognise their voice in the event that they converse wherever else,” he famous.
The approval of the job description and code of conduct is seen as a part of a broader push for reform and modernization inside Jamaica’s parliamentary system. It’s anticipated to stipulate attendance necessities, moral requirements, and clearer efficiency benchmarks for MPs.
