Santo Domingo.- The civic movement Citizen Participation (PC) Wednesday demanded that the legislators decline a wage increase in the Chamber of Deputies, due to Dominican Republic’s current social and economic situation.

"The deputies have surprised the population with an untimely and disproportionate wage increase in their favor, without considering the delicate social and economic situation, agravated by the waste of taxpayers’ money during the just passed electoral campaign and through the external shock which affects the country since last year,” PC said.

In a statement the nonpartisan organism said the measure’s possible derogation would contribute to the deputies’ institutional strengthening and improve its public image, which "has benefitted by the diligent and correct action against the Accounts Chamber scandal."

Citizen Participation said the wage increase wasn’t a correct and transparent decision from an ethical, institutional, social or economic point of view, which takes away legitimacy of any measure stemming from Congress.

It also asked the Chamber of Deputies to abide by the Access to Public Information Law, by providing budget information on its Web site, including the payroll and benefits of deputies and employees. "The Chamber, just like other government agencies, isn’t abiding by such an important law to promote transparency, the correct use of taxpayers’ money, ethics in public management and the fight against corrupción."