Parliament: Number of bills sponsored alone does not reflect workload of MPs

Parliament Secretariate, on Monday night, remarked that the number of bills they sponsor alone does not reflect the workload of lawmakers, adding they are actively engaged in various other processes within the Parliament.

Parliament Secretariate released a statement on Monday amid the circulation of posts on social media suggesting some lawmakers have done no work since assuming their positions.

In this regard, the Secretariate said parliamentary sittings and committee meetings are held publicly with the intention of raising public awareness to greatest extent possible and to cater unbiased and truthful news.

The Secretariate also underscored the details of the bills, resolutions and motions submitted by lawmakers and all their works are shared on the Parliament’s website. The Secretariate added that works carried out during parliamentary sittings and committee meetings reach completion with the participation of all lawmakers.

Thus, the Secretariate emphasized that number of bills sponsored by lawmakers alone does not reflect their workload as they are actively engaged in various other processes within the Parliament.

As such, the Secretariate urged against misusing information disclosed regarding the Parliament’s works in order to mislead the public.

The public has always scrutinized the high salaries of lawmakers, citing that they do not perform work that justifies the high salary and other benefits they receive.

At present, lawmakers receive a monthly salary of MVR 82,500. In addition to their salaries, lawmakers receive substantial committee allowances, significantly increasing their overall earnings.  

Although the Parliament’s standing orders require the legislative assembly to hold sittings three days a week—on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday—many recent sittings of the ongoing 20th parliamentary assembly have been cancelled. Opposition lawmakers have expressed concern over cancellation of the sittings, citing it was due to lack of work.

However, Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla refuted this, citing that the sittings were cancelled because there was no work scheduled on the floor, while emphasizing that committee work was still proceeding.