MEMBER of Parliament (MP) for Clarendon North Eastern Pearnel Charles Jr has joined a growing list of Government MPs who have argued that they are already doing more than provided for in the job descriptions tabled in Parliament by Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

Faced with a barrage of criticisms over the recent massive increase in the salaries of members of the political directorate, Holness on Tuesday tabled a White Paper on job descriptions for Government ministers, and a Green Paper on job descriptions for MPs.

But while welcoming the job description for MPs, Charles, like a number of his colleagues, argued that it was almost impossible to capture what they are called on to do by their constituents.

“I can tell you, not just as a minister but as a Member of Parliament, some of the things I am called to do would never be written in a job description. There is no job description that would say, ‘Answer your phone at 5:00 am because Dufus is calling’, but you are going to do it because it is a part of that job,” Charles told a post-Cabinet media briefing at Jamaica House on Wednesday.

“So this I see as an effort for us to chronicle — as best as possible as part of the governance structure — what we do, but it will not sufficiently, in my view… put down on paper all that we are called to do,” added Charles Jr as he responded to a question during the media briefing.

According to Charles Jr, who is also the minister of labour and social security, the prime minister is taking the well-needed steps to modernise the framework of governance in Jamaica.

“This is a part of the thrust towards developing our country and moving Jamaica into an era where the tenets of accountability and transparency are the norm,” said Charles Jr.

He told the media briefing that, from his perspective, the job description for MPs tabled in Parliament by Holness was not an easy one to digest.

“This job is not one that fits adequately into any square or any circle so it is a difficult task for the prime minister, for the Government, to set down on paper — but it is one which we accept as important and a positive step in our governance structure,” added Charles Jr.

He said the job descriptions for MPs will assist in three main ways, including defining the parameters of duties, skills, abilities and the elements required for the job, and will allow people looking on to decide if it is a job they want to take on.

“It will help the person who is involved in the job to know exactly, in a written way, what they are being held accountable for. And I think, thirdly and most importantly, for the citizens that we serve it will allow them to have a better understanding of what the parameters of this awesome responsibility are. And perhaps I’m hoping it would allow for us to focus our attention on those relevant matters within the job description,” added Charles.

Some of the strategic objectives for MPs

1. Secure Parliament as a deliberative forum in which the issues affecting the peace, progress, prosperity, efficiency and dignity of the nation can be discussed transparently, truthfully, respectfully and robustly for public understanding;

2. Ensure the Parliament is responsive to the lawful concerns and interests of all its citizens, thereby securing its relevance and legitimacy to the people;

3. Contribute to passing laws for the peace, order and good government of Jamaica, pursuant to Section 48(1) of The Jamaica Constitution;

4. Represent, advocate and be the voice of their constituencies in the Parliament and with government or private entities, to advance the interest of the constituency;

5. Uphold the dignity and integrity of the electoral and political process, and positively contribute to the growth of the political party to which they are affiliated, as upholding democratic ideals and institutions through which participation in politics is facilitated.

Some of the key deliverables for MPs

1. Regular attendance at and active participation in sittings of Parliament;

2. Regular attendance at and active participation in committees of Parliament, where applicable;

3. Timely preparation and submission of project documents, including proposed budgets for the Constituency Development Fund (CDF);

4. Timely submission of constituency reports in respect of CDF projects;

5. Holding CDF consultations in the constituency biennially;

6. Preparing multi-year constituency development plans of action and implementing related programmes.

Some of the responsibility areas for MPs

1. Review and pass legislation to provide an up to date and relevant set of laws for the country;

2. Protect the integrity of and promote public confidence in the office of Member of Parliament through befitting conduct;

3. Provide oversight of the executive, ministries, departments and agencies through regular attendance at and active participation in deliberations of the Parliament and its committees, including the review and examination of reports submitted to Parliament;

4. Represent the interests of the constituency at all appropriate levels and participate in relevant constituency activities;

5. Provide appropriate assistance to individual constituents through approved projects financed by the CDF.