Albanian deputies will have higher salaries. The Committee for Economy and Finances voted in favor of the salary increase draft law for over 130 thousand employees of the public administration, ministers and deputies.

It was the deputies’ request for an increase of their salary that caused the most discussions between the majority and the opposition in this Tuesday’s session of the committee, as the draft law presented in the Assembly for the salary increase did not include them or the ministerial cabinets. According to the Minister of Finances and Economy Delina Ibrahimaj, the salary increase for these two categories had been planned for a later time.

“After implementing all the increases meant for all the levels of the public administration, we will bring a new proposal on the salary increase of deputies and ministers. This has nothing to do with the element of dignity,” said Ibrahimaj.

The deputies, however, demanded that their work be valued and the salary hierarchy be maintained.

“It has been since 2005 that the deputies’ salary has not been indexed. I started and will probably finish with the same salary,” argued Democratic Party deputy Edmond Spaho.

“You are asking the deputies of the Assembly to approve a salary increase for everybody else but themselves. It is absurd that the advisors and directors in ministries have a higher salary than the heads of these institutions,” said Democratic Party deputy Agron Shehaj, who, however, voted against the draft law.

According to the coefficients approved by the Economy Committee, the Prime Minister of Albania and the Speaker of the Parliament will have a salary of 329,375 lek (roughly 2,969 euros), Ministers will be paid 318,750 lek (roughly 2,873 euros), Deputies 310,250 lek (roughly 2,796 euros).

The draft law is expected to be approved in the Thursday plenary session of the Assembly.