Why does MP Mariam Sajaia not attend Parliament sessions?

Kakha Uriadmkopeli, www.transparency.ge  

The Parliamentary Committee of Human Rights and Civil Integration on its October 31 meeting discussed the repeated absence one of its members, MP Mariam Sajaia. Committee members noted that despite the fact that Sajaia stated family matters as the reason for her inability to attend parliamentary meetings, her absence might be caused by her current  post-graduate studies at George Washington Unversity's Law School in Washington, DC. 

TI Georgia had already addressed the Parliament on this matter on October 21. It appears that Sajaia, who is a member of two parliamentary committees (she is also in the Parliament's Gender Equality Council), attended only one session out of a total of 35 held in the period between July and November, but still received her full salary.

There is no provision that would define if studying abroad can be considered an urgent family matter. So far, Parliament has accepted Sajaia’s excuses. However, she recently has missed three sessions without providing any explanation, which should, theoretically, result in a 10 per cent deduction of her salary. The Parliamentary Committee of Procedural Issues and Rules has yes to decide on this issue.

According to parliamentary regulations, GEL 1,790 of an MP’s monthly salary of GEL 4,190 is paid specifically for the execution of his/her responsibilities, another GEL 400 are a compensation for transportation expenditures. It has yet to be established if an MP residing outside the country is entitled to receive transportation or other expenses related to his/her job. 

Sajaia's continuing absence may constitute a violation of Parliamentary regulations that should be evaluated and, if a violation is found, sanctioned by reducing the representative's salary. Furthermore, the Parliament should discuss what reasons are acceptable to be excused from failing to attend sessions and meetings.

Finally, we urge all Members of the Parliament to take their mandate seriously and act accordingly to the duties and responsibilities voters entrusted them with.