Members of Parliament are seeking a pay rise to cover the gap created by the new exchange rate.

Last month, the Central Bank and the Ministry of Finance abandoned the fixed rate of 3.16 pounds against the dollar in the commercial banks.

They allowed the rate to be determined by demand and supply, resulting in a rate of 18.55 at the commercial banks.

The chairman of the committee of Finance and Economy, Goch Makuach, says the salaries for the MPs should be raised along with those of the other civil servants.

“One of the prerogatives was to increase the wages for the employees in the country. But before that one could take place, the minister came out with the decision and that decision was blessed by the leadership of the country,” Hon Makuach said.

“Now the parliament is looking forward to the [increment] because we are also civil servants.”

It is not clear how much a member of parliament earns now but some MPs say they earn up to 10,000 pounds monthly, including allowances.

But chairpersons of specialized committees have privileges and more allowances.