There is no discussion before Cabinet to cut the salaries of MPs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The question of MPs taking a salary reduction was put to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley during Saturday's press conference at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann's, in light of Governments around the world, agreeing to a slash in their salaries to help tackle the COVID-19 economic crisis.
Last week, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her Cabinet took a 20-per-cent pay cut in the fight against the virus, while St Lucia's Cabinet of ministers agreed upon a 75 per cent reduction in their pay packets as well.
Asked if the Government was moving to cut MP's salaries during this crisis, the PM said the largest payment of salaries in the public service was not MPs.
"We pay $4.5 billion in payments and there is no consideration at this time to cut anybody's pay."
He said MPs have so far made their personal contributions.
Last month, Rowley said he made 50 per cent of his salary available to provide food for his Diego Martin West constituents.
"I am not getting involved in this MP salary cut story. That is a matter...I know all the MPs on my side are out there sharing their resources with their constituents."
The PM said the salary cut was a nice subject to raise.
"And that is not a matter for the Cabinet. There is no discussion in front of Cabinet to cut anybody salary. So I want to make that very clear because I know where that is going."
He said he was hoping that as we look at our circumstance going forward that that "would not become a requirement for the people on the Government's payroll."
Guardian Media sent Rowley a WhatsApp message asking him if he had mandated his MPs to give half of their salaries to their constituents, but got no response.