Civil society recommendations not adopted in MP job descriptions, code of conduct

 

There is concern that recommendations from civil society groups were not adopted as part of the job description and code of conduct for parliamentarians approved this week in the House of Representatives.

 

Executive Director of Jamaica Accountability Meter Portal (JAMP), Jeanette Calder, says the views of the public were ignored in crafting the documents.

 

"The 22nd of May 2023, the PM said [several] words that are very meaningful to me because I don't hear them often enough. He said 'I work for the people and I take into consideration what their views are. I am not their master.' So what I'm hearing now from looking at this document is that the views of the people were not taken into consideration. We've been carried wide, we've been given a six for nine and the PM should be disappointed because his instructions were, consider the views of the people because I work for them," she outlined.

 

In the meantime, Danielle Archer, Principal Director of National Integrity Action (NIA), said details on the code of conduct are lacking. 

 

"There's no consequence for failing to not act with integrity as a parliamentarian. There is no reference either. You notice when we had the salary increases we were told that there was an audit or an assessment that was done by an auditing firm. Where was the metrics that they used to determine how salaries are to be paid and what was used to determine that metrics? Maybe this could have been looked at. And if you look at this report, it doesn't mention that analysis either. But I think it's a consequence of parliamentarians wanting to demonstrate that they are listening but there is nothing to hold on to. It's smoke. There's no accountability metrics. There is nothing to say it improves the standard of governance that is being offered by members of Parliament," insisted Ms. Archer.  

 

She and Ms. Calder were both guests Thursday on Radio Jamaica's Beyond the Headlines.