Former deputy premier Chris Saunders is set for his first action from the Opposition benches through filing three private member’s motions when Parliament resumes this week.
Saunders, who parted ways with the PACT administration last month, has filed motions aimed at getting government to consider free insurance for children and seniors, and pay rises for public servants.
The Bodden Town West MP will be sitting on the Progressives-led Opposition bench when the House resumes Wednesday, but as an Independent.
It is expected that Saunders will sit in the southeast corner of the chamber once occupied by Independent opposition MPs Ezzard Miller and Arden McLean.
Motions filed
Saunders, a former finance minister, issued a broadcast message Monday advising constituents of his motions which will follow the presentation of Premier Wayne Panton’s Strategic Policy Statement.
The SPS sets the policy framework for the government over the next two years and lays the foundation for the national budget.
Saunders, in his message Monday, said with government set to outline its spending priorities for 1 Jan. 2024 to 31 Dec. 2026, he has filed the maximum three private member’s motions. He is asking government to consider establishing free basic healthcare services for children by 1 Sept. 2024, seniors above the age of 70 by 1 July 2024 and seniors above the age of 68 by 1 July 2025.
He has also filed a motion to have government consider the establishment of a fair employment commission.
Back in March, Saunders, then minister for labour, had announced that he was working on setting up the Fairness Employment Opportunities Commission, the brainchild of former Premier Alden McLaughlin.
Opportunities for Caymanians
Saunders, in his message, said the “Commission is necessary to ensure that Caymanians are given every fair opportunity to progress in the workplace and maximize their potential and earnings.”
In his third motion, he is calling for a salary increase for public servants, starting with 5% on 1 July 2023, 4% on 1 July 2024 and 4% on 1 July 2025.
This motion, he said, asks the government to implement a performance incentive compensation scheme within the public service this year.
“By now, you would have seen the press release where the Government’s Financial Position has improved over the past 2 years and it’s important and imperative that these positive results are passed on to you, the people in a positive and meaningful way,” he said.
This was not the first time a salary increase has been proposed, as Saunders, in his previous role as finance minister, had spoken about a raise for public servants.
Meanwhile, Progressives Opposition Red Bay MP Alden McLaughlin has filed two motions relating to road safety and traffic.
The Opposition has also filed a number of parliamentary questions.
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