Deputies to give up benefits?

The amendment envisages an abolishment of the thirteenth salary, which is paid out to deputies at the end of each year. Giertych said that an amendment to the budget bill alone would not be effective, because of the legal obligation to pay out the extra salaries imposed by the MPs' duties and benefits bill. "This means that the Sejm Office will have to do it, regardless of whether there will be zł. 7 million more or less in the budget," he said. LPR leader announced that this is the way to, "Help out his friends from the Civic Platform (PO)" and counts on their support for the amendment. PO has already submitted about 60 amendments to the 2004 budget bill, aiming at scrapping the thirteenth salary. On Thursday PO has also announced that all deputies of the party will donate their extra salaries to charity. (www.rmf.pl) A.K.