PARAMARIBO – While the citizens of Suriname will struggle to make ends meet as a result of inflation, unemployment and the rising costs of living, the new ministers and deputy ministers will earn a staggering SRD 161,850 every month thanks to a new bill that was passed.
Each minister will earn a base salary that equals 60% of the salary of the president. The president will earn SRD 130,000 which puts the base salary of each minister at SRD 78,000 per month. Deputy ministers will earn 50% of the salary of a ministry so they will receive SRD 39,000. Besides the base salary the ministers will also receive a series of structural allowances such as a representation allowance of SRD 19,500 per month. The ministers will also receive a telecom allowance of SRD 5,850 except for when they receive a mobile phone from the government. They will also receive SRD 7,800 for carrying out extra management tasks.
If a minister does not have a government car at his or her disposal, he or she can count on a Transportation allowance of 30% or SRD 23,400.
The same goes for housing. A minister who does not have a government house to stay in while in office will receive a housing allowance of 25% of the salary or SRD 19,500. Each minister can also opt for a security allowance of SRD 7,800 to replace security cameras for example. The base salary with all of the various allowances amount to SRD 161,850 in total per month. The new law also provides many other benefits to the ministers. The ministers are entitled to first class health insurance packages for themselves and the members of their family. Their health insurance costs for receiving medical treatment in Suriname or abroad are covered.
Ministers also have access to diplomatic passports, VIP facilities at the airport and support for foreign trips via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation. They can also count on four employees to keep the inside and outside of their home in top shape. The salaries of these four employees will be covered by the government. Each year ministers are entitled to taking 30 days off of work. In July they will receive a vacation pay that equals 96% of their base salary.
Ministers who remain in office for the full term of 5 years will keep receiving their salary and allowances for an additional 12 months. However, ministers who are less than 5 years in office are also entitled to aftercare. A person who has been a minister for 4 years will receive the financial package for 10 months after leaving office while a person who has been minister for one or two years will receive the package for an additional 10 months.
