A significant development has emerged in Suriname’s ongoing judicial compensation controversy as former Cabinet Director Eugène van der San has obtained and publicly revealed the official pay stub of Attorney General Garcia Paragsingh. The document, reportedly delivered to Van der San’s mailbox, provides concrete evidence of the substantial compensation package that has ignited political debate.
The salary breakdown reveals a gross monthly income exceeding SRD 1.4 million, with net earnings amounting to over SRD 1 million after deductions. The compensation structure includes a base salary of SRD 562,018 supplemented by numerous allowances for representation, vehicle, housing, and management responsibilities. Employer contributions for pension and social security benefits are also detailed, alongside standard deductions for income tax and social fund contributions.
This disclosure follows intense political scrutiny initiated by National Assembly member Poetini Atompai (NPS), who recently demanded full transparency regarding judicial branch compensation during parliamentary proceedings. Atompai raised concerns about proportionality and reasonableness, suggesting some judicial salaries might exceed the President’s compensation by three to five times. The lawmaker urgently called for immediate government transparency regarding salary structures, entry dates, monthly state burdens, and cumulative budgetary impacts.
The controversy intensified when both Van der San’s calculations and Starnieuws news outlet, which conducted independent verification, faced substantial criticism from various quarters. The emerging debate highlights growing concerns about income disparity within Suriname’s public sector and calls for comprehensive reform of judicial compensation transparency.