KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Tourism, and Member of Parliament for East Central St James, Edmund Bartlett opened the nation’s sectoral debates moments ago. 

Bartlett began his presentation after former youth minister and Member of Parliament for South East St Ann Lisa Hanna called for the House of Representatives to debate measures to protect children from exposure to sexual content at a future date. 

Member of Parliament for Clarendon Northern Horace Dalley also weighed in, before Bartlett’s presentation began, expressing concern about the Pensions (Public Service) Bill which is intended to begin the Government’s planned reform of the public sector pension scheme.

Among his complaints, was the treatment of the pension of Parliamentarians. Dalley said it was shameful that after four years of contributions, Parliamentarians could not even pay land tax from their pension. 

He called for a bipartisan committee to debate improvement of Parliamentary pensions. 

However, Everald Warmington, Member of Parliament for St Catherine South West, rose to remind Dalley that he (Warmington) had already brought a motion to the House to bring the matter before the attention of Cabinet. 

Debate on the Bill was suspended last week after now Opposition Leader Dr Peter Phillips disclosed that the Opposition would support the provisions. 

One such provision will require that government workers start contributing to their pension fund in 2017/18 at the level of five per cent of their salary.

Debate was again suspended today until tomorrow when Finance Minister Audley Shaw will respond to concerns about the Bill.

The sectoral debate is a public debate in the House of Representatives in which Cabinet ministers and junior ministers are expected to record their performance and their projections since the previous year. 

Meanwhile, Opposition spokespersons on the various portfolios will seek answers and criticise or support government programmes and policies.