A pact between the Ministry of Finance and Parliament to fix salary of MPs at 8% is attracting disapproval from ordinary citizens.
Public servants interviewed by Radio Dalsan have expressed opinion that the taxes imposed on the ordinary citizens are far much higher than that on the lawmakers’ salary.
“I compare what I am getting a month and the percentage that goes to the government and what the MPs get and the amount that is cut is quite unfair.†Hafsa Diriye a civil servant with the Ministry of Public Works said.
Somalis earning more than $1500 a month pay an 18% tax.
“Life is expensive in Mogadishu and the government should consider reducing the tax it is imposing on its civil servants†Diriye added.
Lawmaker Mohamud Abuukate confirmed to Radio Dalsan that an 8% tax was cut from his January salary.
Two months ago a deal signed between the Parliamentary Finance Committee and Ministry of Finance settled on a 8% tax rate for MPs.
