Personal drivers of some Parliamentarians are currently living in misery as their bosses have not paid them any salaries for the past eight months. Though the MPs recently got US$50,000 car loan, information available to the Insight newspaper indicates that the legislators have not even dreamt of addressing the plight of the helpless drivers.
�My master gives away big monies to his Party members whenever he meets them but when I ask money for my children�s school, he refuses,� a driver of a famous vociferous MP said. The drivers said they always accompany their bosses to Parliamentary workshops, seminars and conferences where sitting allowances and per diems are paid but their bosses do not remember them at all. Another said: �while they (MPs) are at their meetings, they do not think about where we will get food to eat.�
One of the key leaders of the MPs drivers union told The Insight that at the recent emergency sitting of the house, they petitioned the leadership of the House, particularly the majority leader but nothing has so far been heard. He indicated that the Parliamentarians pay between GH20 to GH�50 to their drivers. According to the drivers, the paltry sums given to them cannot cater for their lives let alone their families.
The MPs enjoy payment to their accounts at the Social Security and National Insurance Trust which enables them to enjoy the National Health Insurance Scheme but the drivers are denied these facilities. �Our job is not an easy one. We drive long distances. �Sometimes, our masters will just call us to make unplanned journeys,� another driver said. One of the drivers who only gave his name as Kojo said he had never received any amount more than GH�60 from his boss who usually spends not less than GH�1000 anytime he meets his constituents.
The drivers have therefore appealed to the house of Parliament to consider their plight and ensure that their salaries are paid. They have also called on the House to put in place measures that would enable them go into a four year contract with their bosses so that their entitlements could be paid into their bank account. Drivers who worked for 2004 to 2008 parliamentarians were entitled to a total benefit amounting to over GH1200, but have so far not been paid.
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