POLL FOR ALLOWANCE INCREMENT

POLL FOR ALLOWANCE INCREMENT

Complaints had been received from CzeMSA members that the allowance we receive is not enough to support the living cost in CR. Upon considering the complaint, CzeMSA EXCO majority agreed that we should proceed to appeal for allowance increment. Meeting with Mr Firdaus was arranged regarding this issue. The conclusion from the meeting with him is as following.

1. He said, come up with the amount that we want to be increased. Eg, 100 eur, 200 eur.He was told that we will be doing poll soon after getting to know the procedure for the appeal .The poll is based on locality.
2. Concrete reasons- no money for food or to survive. No money in terms of to go for holiday, or to live a luxurious life is not a good reason.Agreed that rental in Prague and Hradec much higher because students stay outside, and in olomouc hostel is comfortable enough .But some in olomouc stay outside for privacy reasons. Retail price of raw materials in all 3 localities are more or less the same, but when we eat outside ,transportation and the service charges in Prague and Hradec is definitely higher than olomouc. Average students in Prague and Hradec pay 2/3 of their allowance for rental. He told that we students get the same amount of allowance like the other embassy staffs do,800 EUR per month.Which even the staffs always complain about. (money is always the matter!) And as far as he is concerned, average student in Prague pays around 10,000kc for rental.He advised students to revise their monthly financial sheet to reduce expenditures anywhere possible(if the financial situation is very critical for time being) maybe cut down on rental money by shifting to a place worth the money paid. In the long run, we can actually save up a lot.
3. If we do our homework, come up with a strong letter with inflation rates and STRONG EVIDENCE, (maybe a summarised expenditure sheet per month of each locality, as everyone has different priority) , he will definitely recommend the letter to HQ, or else HQ might bombard him saying that he did not do his research. (Please note that en Firdaus will be leaving most probly in august or early sept this year)
4. We might not hear anything from the HQ for the next 1 year. HQ will conduct their own research, and if HQ thinks we have a reasonable argument, they will send a team to CR to do inspection.the team comprises of
   a) rep from ministry of finance
   b) rep from ministry of foreign affairs
   c)rep from JPA
   they will do inspection on everything, like check our accommodation, raw material price , etc.inspection can be done in all 3 places, even if any of the locality does not ask for increment.
5. Mr Firdaus strongly agrees that ithat the allowance is not enough because of the currency exchange. Last time it used be 1EUR=28kc. And now, its merely 1EUR=24kc. So , per month we actually loose 2800kc-3200kc. Which per year, 33600kc-38400kc.
6. He also stated that allowance cannot be banked in as Czech crowns. Only euros, the same for the rest of the embassy staffs.
7. And last but not least, if JPA increases the allowance, MARA students will also enjoy the benefits ( or maybe a disadvantage cz some of them think it is a burden to have increased loan payback). But he suggested, if they are getting extra money, save up for rainy days. They can pay back their loan with the savings, or save up to get married eventually. :p

Therefore, we have constructed a simple poll according to locality.


PRAGUE

HRADEC KRALOVE

OLOMOUC

The information being requested is purely for official purpose.In this case, we need to come up with average expenditure per month of members according to locality.The information given will act as a supporting fact along with the letter which will be sent to sponsors.Hence, WE NEED YOU TO ANSWER THE SURVEY HONESTLY BECAUSE THOSE INFORMATION GIVEN REALLY MATTER. In no other ways, CzeMSA has any intentions to breach the privacy of members since this survey is RANDOMIZED.

Also, please note that scholars from other countries ,to name few like US, Australia and UK had to wait for a very long time since they initially asked for allowance increment.Doubtless, it was not an easy fight to win. Even if there will be an increase in allowance, it might not be in time to be implemented before some of the students graduate in a few years time.Nevertheless,this favours for the super duper juniors.

Thats all for now. Poll results will be published in YG. Deadline for this poll is on 31st MARCH 2011. Any questions are very much welcomed. Thank you.

Regards,

LINAH NADARAJAH
Public Relation Bureau Central CzeMSA 10/12