Laudable Royal Decree

Monday’s Royal Decree rejecting lifetime pensions for parliamentarians was good news for many around the country.

It, again, demonstrated the role of the Hashemite leadership as the safety valve and a voice of the people.

Last Thursday’s decision by a joint session of the Lower and Upper Houses to grant parliamentarians lifetime pensions after only seven years of service drew angry reactions from many citizens and sectors.

The decision contravenes principles of justice and fairness as legislators decided to distinguish themselves from fellow citizens by granting themselves lifetime pensions for such a short period of service despite the fact that many of them have other jobs and businesses.

Their decision was taken shortly after the government rejected demands by the country’s army of teachers for raises and better allowances because of the dire economic situation.

To restore fairness, and in view of the economic situation in the country, Royal intervention was needed, and it came in a timely manner.

In a message addressed to the government on Monday, the King said the decision to reject the draft civil retirement law was taken in view of the challenges facing the country and to ensure that laws put public interest above all, stressing that “the interests of Jordan and Jordanians are above all considerations”.

Unfortunately, parliamentarians who voted for the draft law ignored the economic situation, regional developments and public dissatisfaction with parliamentary performance. 

On Thursday, the two Chambers of Parliament acted in agreement to adopt the draft legislation, giving themselves equal retirement rights with Cabinet ministers.

It is the very same law that King Abdullah rejected in 2012.

Why then, put the same legislation to test when the King had earlier sent a clear message that it is an unfair piece of legislation?

The issue, actually, is not treating MPs equal to Cabinet ministers, but rather the lifetime pensions after such a short time in the service of the country.

Neither deputies nor senators or ministers should be accorded lifetime retirement money after only a seven-year term in office.

Employees in both public and private sectors only get lifetime pensions after having completed no less than 20 years of work.

Why should ministers and MPs be treated any different? 

Is it not enough that they already benefit from customs-free cars, diplomatic passports and long breaks from their duties?

That they have immunity and do precious little for the public, that many MPs hardly do their homework before they cast their votes on issues?

People’s representatives are often treated like spoiled children, with the government sometimes going out of its way to appease them. 

By giving themselves additional privileges, MPs show that all they care about are their own interests, not the good of the nation.

The country, like most of the world, is going through difficult times. The economy has yet to rebound, poverty and unemployment are increasing, and the regional situation is not creating an environment conducive to investment.

What, then, makes these people believe that they have the right to enjoy more benefits than the rest of Jordanians?

If anything, if they indeed cared about the welfare of the country, they should have voted to cut down their privileges.