20 days' paid holiday enough for deputies, says minister
DEPUTIES should only be allowed 20 days' paid holiday a year, Commerce and Employment minister Kevin Stewart has said.
His comments came in the wake of Environment minister Roger Domaille taking a six-week break to visit his son in Australia.
Deputy Stewart, pictured, said he believed 20 days' holiday was generally enough, but any more should be unpaid.
'I think – so no-one gets picked on – it should be a standard 20 days' holiday and if you take more than that, take it without pay if it is a special reason, just as you would in any job,' he said.
Deputy Stewart said it was a matter for the States Assembly and Constitution Committee to explore.
He said currently holidays were a matter for the conscience of every deputy – a message echoed by fellow ministers and States members.
Deputy Stewart, together with Social Security minister Deputy Allister Langlois and Housing minister Dave Jones, also wanted to dispel the misconception that the politicians were not working in August, just because the States did not meet and was in recess.
