Former MPs claim €9m in benefits
Monday 02 March 2009
Last year a total of €9m was paid out to 82 former MPs who lost their jobs following the last election, the Parool reported at the weekend.
Former politicians can claim up to €6,200 a month for up to six years if they lose their seat. Unlike people claiming normal social security benefits, ex-MPs do not have to apply for jobs in order to qualify. If they do have work but earn less than €6,200, they can claim a top up.
Plans to make former MPs apply for work in order to claim benefit and to cut the period from six to four years have been shelved, the paper says. They formed part of draft legislation which would have increased MPs basic pay by 10% and which has been put on ice.
But Labour and Socialist MPs say they want to see ex-MPs forced to apply for work. Home affairs minister Guusje ter Horst is looking at the possibilities, news agency ANP quoted her spokesman as saying.
© DutchNews.nl
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Friday: Cold and sunny everywhere. Heavy frost at night. Similar Saturday but thaw possible Sunday
Brilliant! Why should ex-MPs be any better than the rest of us. If they truly believe in the virtue of hard work,let them participate in it.
Here in the states a term or two in our congress is enough to set one up for a life of government support, and trying to change that would require the permission of the very people who benefit from it.
By Ron Slade Sr. | March 2, 2009 5:48 PM