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Absences From Lower House Increase
Monday, 19 May 2014 20:11 Written by Saleha Sadat
According to the Administrative Committee of the Lower House, a number of MPs have made a habit of missing parliamentary sessions, far surpassing the number of leave days they are afforded by law.
Saleh Mohammad Saljooqi, the Second Deputy of the Lower House, said the Administrative Committee was fed up with the absenteeism, which he said had become a major issue impeding Parliament's functioning. He said other representatives have tried to get the disengaged MPs to fulfill their duties, but have been unsuccessful.
Afghanistan faces a critical turning point this year as two-term President Hamid Karzai steps down and the NATO coalition departs in December. With the Taliban insurgency still waging war, poverty and crime afflicting communities around the country, the idea of the nation's leaders taking extra time off is likely not an easy one to swallow.
The Lower House attendance book provided to TOLOnews by officials indicates that over 100 representatives have been absent on any given day over the past few weeks. Many cited health as the reason or the absence, while others did not provide any excuse. MPs are allotted 15 leave days every four months.
In addition to missing full floor sessions, many representatives are said to miss their committee meetings as well. According to the Administrative Committee of the Lower House, meetings of the Health Committee and Sports & Youth Committee were not held in the past week due to absences.
"The legal task of MPs is to make laws, oversee government and represent the people," Balkh MP Muhammad Abda said. "When MPs do not do their job and get paid for being an MP, they don't deserve their salary."
Kabul residents were frustrated when they learned that many MPs frequently do not show up to work. "We sent them to Parliament to represent us, but they abused it," Kabul resident Muhammad Din told TOLOnews. "God will question them for not representing us."
Some were no so surprised, though. "We have seen that a number of MPs come and show themselves in front of the cameras, but after signing their attendance, they leave - they deceive people," another Kabul resident named Geeti said.
Monday, 19 May 2014 20:11 Written by Saleha Sadat
According to the Administrative Committee of the Lower House, a number of MPs have made a habit of missing parliamentary sessions, far surpassing the number of leave days they are afforded by law.
Saleh Mohammad Saljooqi, the Second Deputy of the Lower House, said the Administrative Committee was fed up with the absenteeism, which he said had become a major issue impeding Parliament's functioning. He said other representatives have tried to get the disengaged MPs to fulfill their duties, but have been unsuccessful.
Afghanistan faces a critical turning point this year as two-term President Hamid Karzai steps down and the NATO coalition departs in December. With the Taliban insurgency still waging war, poverty and crime afflicting communities around the country, the idea of the nation's leaders taking extra time off is likely not an easy one to swallow.
The Lower House attendance book provided to TOLOnews by officials indicates that over 100 representatives have been absent on any given day over the past few weeks. Many cited health as the reason or the absence, while others did not provide any excuse. MPs are allotted 15 leave days every four months.
In addition to missing full floor sessions, many representatives are said to miss their committee meetings as well. According to the Administrative Committee of the Lower House, meetings of the Health Committee and Sports & Youth Committee were not held in the past week due to absences.
"The legal task of MPs is to make laws, oversee government and represent the people," Balkh MP Muhammad Abda said. "When MPs do not do their job and get paid for being an MP, they don't deserve their salary."
Kabul residents were frustrated when they learned that many MPs frequently do not show up to work. "We sent them to Parliament to represent us, but they abused it," Kabul resident Muhammad Din told TOLOnews. "God will question them for not representing us."
Some were no so surprised, though. "We have seen that a number of MPs come and show themselves in front of the cameras, but after signing their attendance, they leave - they deceive people," another Kabul resident named Geeti said.
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