Representative for the 6th District the Honourable Myron Walwyn slammed the Government on Tuesday for maintaining the lavish payment structure of former legislators who are beneficiaries of the controversial Retiring Allowances (Legislative Service) Act, “Greedy Bill”, while failing to make the necessary investment to address the social ills impacting residents of the Virgin Islands, citing a lack of funds.
Homelessness, poor road infrastructure and failing water and sewerage networks were highlighted by the member as some of the issues that go unaddressed.
He stressed that while many in the society are struggling to make ends meet and having to find creative ways of fulfilling even their most basic needs, the beneficiaries of the bill continue to be paid by the state, for no work.
One specific instance he brought light to was a conversation with the Minister for Education surrounding the Government’s decision to stop a scholarship programme which benefitted differently-abled students because it was “too expensive”.
The contentious sections of the bill were repealed in that same sitting. However, while future legislators will not benefit from the widely criticized payment scheme, legislators who already benefit or had qualified to do so prior to Tuesday’s sitting will still be paid. They have the option to relinquish their benefits in writing.