[ingliz]

National Insurance - rates and allowances; $ per week 2009-10

Lower earnings limit, primary Class 1

$95

Upper earnings limit, primary Class 1

$844

Upper accruals point

$770

Primary threshold

$110

Secondary threshold

$110

Employees’ primary Class 1 rate between primary threshold and upper earnings limit

11%

Employees’ primary Class 1 rate above upper earnings limit

1%

Employees’ contracted-out rebate

1.6%

Married women’s reduced rate between primary threshold and upper earnings limit

4.85%

Married women’s rate above upper earnings limit

1%




Employers’ secondary Class 1 rate above secondary threshold

12.8%

Employers’ contracted-out rebate, salary-related schemes

3.7%

Employers’ contracted-out rebate, money-purchase schemes

1.4%

Class 2 rate

$2.40

Class 2 small earnings exception

$5,075 per year

Special Class 2 rate for share fishermen

$3.05

Special Class 2 rate for volunteer development workers

$4.75

Class 3 rate

$12.05

Class 4 lower profits limit

$5, 715 per year

Class 4 upper profits limit

$43, 875 per year

Class 4 rate between lower profits limit and upper profits limit


8%

Class 4 rate above upper profits limit

1%

[ingliz]

The people of PoFo, exercising their powers of creation and, in following the historic
examples set out by those perched on the precipice of history, and the heroism and sacrifice
of our ancestors, and the forerunners and founders of a free and sovereign nation; to the
supreme end of reshaping the Republic to establish a democratic, participatory, and self-
reliant, multiethnic and multicultural society in a just, federal and decentralized State
that embodies the values of freedom, independence, peace, solidarity, the common good, the
nation's territorial integrity, community and the rule of law for this and future
generations; guarantees the right to life, work, learning, education, social justice and
equality, without discrimination or subordination of any kind; promotes peaceful cooperation
among nations and furthers and strengthens the integration of PoFo with the world at large in
accordance with the principle of nonintervention and national self-determination of the
people, the universal and indivisible guarantee of human rights, the democratization of
imitational society, nuclear disarmament, ecological balance and environmental resources as
the common and inalienable heritage of humanity; exercising their innate power through their
representatives comprising the National Parliament, by their freely cast vote and in a
democratic Referendum, hereby ordain the following:

Omnibus Human Relief and Welfare Act.

We, the SN-RF, believe that - at a minimum - every citizen is entitled to the fullest
opportunity his life can bring him or her. We feel that as a result of this no citizen should
fail to prosper as a result of the knowledge gained for all people, to be utilized to better
all people. Therefore essential services like healthcare, education and (e.g.) employment
should not be withheld by a state with ample revenue to ensure these services.
These services are so vitally important for the people's self-realization, that their
provision cannot simply be left to chance. As such, the state, in democratic partnership with
local communities and various organisations must erect a framework for the universal
provision of these social goods. This means that all citizens are entitled to the most
advanced healthcare the nation can provide its citizens, the highest level of education that
an individual can attain, and employment through either public or private organizations.
These essential services are rendered at national cost through the processes we have outlined
below.

Article 1: Principle of National Healthcare Act

1. Principle
i. Bill to promote the health and well-being of the individual by the creation of a uniform
standard health care plan, paid and administered through taxation of a single payer nature.

A. Funding
In accordance with the principles in S.1 it is the duty of government to promote the
principles in S.1 the government will:
1) Ensure that all citizens receive healthcare as a result of this provision.
2) Encourage development of advanced medical practices by subsidizing research and
development of those sciences like biology, human genome, and any other field directly
related to medical research.
3) Citizens retain the option to receive healthcare on their own terms through private
sources or other foreign sources, but other than the "allowance" (see 5) remain subject to the same taxation as any other
citizen not seeking private care.
4) Ensure that those injured or disabled by disease or injury retain the rights to their
employment and retain a pension during this time of disablity equaling three quarters of
their normal rate of pay.
5) A tax deductable allowance capped at 5% of salary will be allowed for citizens taking out private healthcare insurance. NB. State National Insurance contributions, the "stamp", will still have to be paid in full

B. Notes
The Bill will be hereby referred to simply as the Healthcare Act.
The Federal Health and Human Welfare Committee abbr. FHHW and will administered by the
Minister of Health.

Article 2: The Education Act: Freedom, Equality and Prosperity

1. Principles
A Bill To promote (1) the development of the individual's potential, (2) the creation of an informed citizenry indespensible for the optimal functioning of a democracy and (3) the production of capital necessary for economic prosperity

2. Funding
In accordance with the principles in S.1 and the duty of government to promote the principles in S.1 the government will:
a) set up a Federal Education Commitee (hereby FEC) to administer the general provisions of S.2
b)
i. ensure the free education of all citizens, from kindergarten to first-level tertiary education. Postgraduate studies and professional studies will be funded at the university’s discretion and by the university. The number of students enrolled in any given tertiary program will still remain to the discretion of the universities in accordance with their facilities and capacities. The consequence is to make admissions more competitive but open to all. Discrimination, however, based on irrelevant criteria for admission will not be tolerated and contravenes the principles in S.1.
ii. Government funding of tuition fees to be restricted to scientific and technical disciplines to be decided by the government.
c) encourage development in the theoretical sciences by:
i. actively funding research in related fields
ii. Assisting PhDs in finding employment in related fields
d) protect against the flight of intellectual capital
e) administer a broad Loans and Bursaries Program to help offset living expenses among postgraduate students
f) provide physical investment in secondary education

Sections 2; c,d,e and f are subject to future public spending decisions

3. Federal Education Committee
In accordance with 2.a., the FEC will be chaired by the Minister of 'Education' and assisted by the Minister of 'Science and Technology', and 'Culture and the Arts' whose responsibilities include:
a) the general oversight of spending
b) accountability of government for the decisions of the FEC

4. Secondary Schools and Infrastructure
In accordance with the objectives set by 2.e., the FEC will be tasked with administering a 15-year term investment in the physical infrastructure of secondary schools. The government will provide (but not limit itself to) $2bn annually to the FEC to go toward:
a) modernizing educational facilities
b) revitalization projects, targeting deteriorated and/or deteriorating educational facilities
c) funding and promoting extracurricular programs

All of Section 4 is subject to future public spending decisions

5. Notes
The Bill will be hereby referred to simply as The Education Act
The Federal Education Comitte abbr. FEC, will be overseen by the Ministry of Education.

Union Recognition and Certification Act, 2009

The Ministry of Labour and Industry promotes a stable and constructive labour relations climate and fosters productive workplace relationships.

Human rights provisions, fair employment practices, equal pay and anti-discrimination laws are all embodied in this labour legislation.

Discrimination by race, religion, colour, creed, sex, age or other factors is prohibited. All jurisdictions are to require employers to pay men and women equally for the same work.

Section 1 - Right to Belong to a Union

"an individual unorganized worker is commonly helpless to exercise actual liberty,"

(a) employees are permitted to join unions for the purpose of bargaining collectively with their employers on issues concerning wage rates, fringe benefits and other working conditions.

(b) Labour codes in all jurisdictions guarantee the right to representation by a trade union following a certification process outlined in legislation.

Section 2 - Union Certification

(a) The Union submits an Application for Certification to the PoFo Labour Board. If, as at the date of application, 40% or more of employees support the Union, the Board shall order a vote. If 65% or more sign a union card the Board will automatically certify the bargaining unit.

If a vote is ordered and If more than 50% of the votes are in favour of having a union, The Board will certify the Union.


(b) Employers' Rights - It is an unfair labour practice for Employers to attempt to interfere with the formation or selection of a Union. However, Employers or managers are permitted to communicate statements of fact or opinions reasonably held with respect to the Employers business. On the day of the vote, neither the Union nor the Employer may, at the workplace or polling place distribute printed material or engage in electioneering for the purposes of influencing the vote.

(c) Once certified a Union becomes the exclusive bargaining agent for all of the employees in the bargaining unit whether they are members of the Union or not. The Employer cannot settle wages and working conditions directly with the employees. The employer is required to negotiate only with the Union which has been certified and no other one. After certification a Union can, by notice, compel an Employer to meet and bargain a collective agreement.

(d) Derecogition

Mirror image of recognition

(f) In the interests of stability an agreement lasts a minimum of 12 months unless the union can be shown to have used unfair labour practices

(g) Unfair labour practices:

Coerce people to become union members;

Use threats, intimidation, or violence;

Force an employer to punish a worker because he/she doesn't get along with the union;

Charge excessive union dues;

Refuse to bargain in good faith with the employer.


(h) Firms who employ fewer than 21 employees (taking into account employees in associated companies) are excluded from the legislation

(k) Employees have a right not to join the union.


Changes in the Rate of Petroleum Revenue Tax, 2009

Petroleum Revenue Tax

Petroleum Revenue Tax (PRT) is administered by Pofo Revenue & Customs Large Business Service- Oil & Gas Sector (LBSOG) –formerly Oil Taxation Office or 'the OTO'. This is a tax which seeks to tax a high proportion of the economic rent (super-profits) from the exploitation of the PoFo's oil and gas. PRT is a field-based tax: in general, the costs of developing and running a field can only be set against the profits generated by that field. Any losses, eg arising from unused expenditure relief, can be carried forwards or backwards within the field indefinitely. There is also a range of reliefs, including:

•oil allowance - a PRT-free slice of production
•supplement - a proxy for interest and other financing costs
•Tariff Receipts Allowance (TRA) - participators owning assets, for example pipelines, relating to one field will sometimes allow participators from other fields to share the use of the asset in return for the payment of tariffs, and TRA relieves some of the tariffs received from PRT
•exemption from PRT for gas sold to PoFo Gas under a pre July 1975 contract
•cross-field relief for research expenditure
PRT is currently charged at 50 per cent on profits after these allowances. For a limited period safeguard relief then applies to ensure that PRT does not reduce the annual return in the early years of production of a field to below 15 per cent of the historic capital expenditure on the field.

As part of a package of PRT reforms the rate of PRT is increased from 50 per cent to 80 per cent and PRT relief for Exploration and Appraisal (E&A) expenditure is abolished

Changes in Rates and allowances - National Insurance contributions, 2009

National Insurance - rates and allowances; $ per week 2009-10

Lower earnings limit, primary Class 1

$95

Upper earnings limit, primary Class 1

$844

Upper accruals point

$770

Primary threshold

$110

Secondary threshold

$110

Employees’ primary Class 1 rate between primary threshold and upper earnings limit

11%

Employees’ primary Class 1 rate above upper earnings limit

1%

Employees’ contracted-out rebate

1.6%

Married women’s reduced rate between primary threshold and upper earnings limit

4.85%

Married women’s rate above upper earnings limit

1%




Employers’ secondary Class 1 rate above secondary threshold

12.8%

Employers’ contracted-out rebate, salary-related schemes

3.7%

Employers’ contracted-out rebate, money-purchase schemes

1.4%

Class 2 rate

$2.40

Class 2 small earnings exception

$5,075 per year

Special Class 2 rate for share fishermen

$3.05

Special Class 2 rate for volunteer development workers

$4.75

Class 3 rate

$12.05

Class 4 lower profits limit

$5, 715 per year

Class 4 upper profits limit

$43, 875 per year

Class 4 rate between lower profits limit and upper profits limit


8%

Class 4 rate above upper profits limit

1%

[HoniSoit]

Thanks, ingliz.

I will edit the document a bit and re-post it.

[ingliz]

Everything has to be in to be acceptable.

[HoniSoit]

OK. After wide consultation, we have come up with a revised Omnibus Human Relief and Welfare Act:

The people of PoFo, exercising their powers of creation and, in following the historic examples set out by those perched on the precipice of history, and the heroism and sacrifice of our ancestors, and the forerunners and founders of a free and sovereign nation; to the supreme end of reshaping the Republic to establish a democratic, participatory, and self-reliant, multiethnic and multicultural society in a just, federal and decentralized State that embodies the values of freedom, independence, peace, solidarity, the common good, the nation's territorial integrity, community and the rule of law for this and future generations; guarantees the right to life, work, learning, education, social justice and equality, without discrimination or subordination of any kind; promotes peaceful cooperation among nations and furthers and strengthens the integration of PoFo with the world at large in accordance with the principle of nonintervention and national self-determination of the people, the universal and indivisible guarantee of human rights, the democratization of imitational society, nuclear disarmament, ecological balance and environmental resources as the common and inalienable heritage of humanity; exercising their innate power through their representatives comprising the National Parliament, by their freely cast vote and in a democratic Referendum, hereby ordain the following:

Omnibus Human Relief and Welfare Act.

We believe that every citizen is entitled to the fullest opportunity his life can bring him or her. We feel that as a result of this no citizen should fail to prosper as a result of the knowledge gained for all people, to be utilized to better all people. Therefore essential services like healthcare, education and (e.g.) employment should not be withheld by a state with ample revenue to ensure these services. These services are so vitally important for the people's self-realization that their provision cannot simply be left to chance. As such, the state, in democratic partnership with local communities and various organisations must erect a framework for the universal provision of these social goods. This means that all citizens are entitled to the most advanced healthcare the nation can provide its citizens, the highest level of education that an individual can attain, and employment through either public or private organizations. These essential services are rendered at national cost through the processes we have outlined below.

Article 1: Principle of National Healthcare Act

1. Principle
i. Bill to promote the health and well-being of the individual by the creation of a uniform standard health care plan, paid and administered through taxation of a single payer nature.

A. Funding
In accordance with the principles in S.1 it is the duty of government to promote the principles in S.1 the government will:
1) Ensure that all citizens receive healthcare as a result of this provision.
2) Encourage development of advanced medical practices by subsidizing research and development of those sciences like biology, human genome, and any other field directly related to medical research.
3) Citizens retain the option to receive healthcare on their own terms through private sources or other foreign sources, but other than the "allowance" (see 5) remain subject to the same taxation as any other citizen not seeking private care.
4) Ensure that those injured or disabled by disease or injury retain the rights to their employment and retain a pension during this time of disability equaling three quarters of their normal rate of pay.
5) A tax deductible allowance capped at 5% of salary will be allowed for citizens taking out private healthcare insurance. NB. State National Insurance contributions, the "stamp", will still have to be paid in full

B. Notes
The Bill will be hereby referred to simply as the Healthcare Act.
The Federal Health and Human Welfare Committee abbr. FHHW and will administered by the Minister of Health.

Article 2: The Education Act: Freedom, Equality and Prosperity

1. Principles
A Bill To promote (1) the development of the individual's potential, (2) the creation of an informed citizenry indispensable for the optimal functioning of a democracy and (3) the production of capital necessary for economic prosperity

2. Funding
In accordance with the principles in S.1 and the duty of government to promote the principles in S.1 the government will:
a) set up a Federal Education Committee (hereby FEC) to administer the general provisions of S.2
b)
i. ensure the free education of all citizens, from kindergarten to first-level tertiary education. Postgraduate studies and professional studies will be funded at the university’s discretion and by the university. The number of students enrolled in any given tertiary program will still remain to the discretion of the universities in accordance with their facilities and capacities. The consequence is to make admissions more competitive but open to all. Discrimination, however, based on irrelevant criteria for admission will not be tolerated and contravenes the principles in S.1.
ii. Government funding of tuition fees to be restricted to scientific and technical disciplines to be decided by the government.
c) encourage development in the theoretical sciences by:
i. actively funding research in related fields
ii. Assisting PhDs in finding employment in related fields
d) protect against the flight of intellectual capital
e) administer a broad Loans and Bursaries Program to help offset living expenses among postgraduate students
f) provide physical investment in secondary education

Sections 2; c,d,e and f are subject to future public spending decisions

3. Federal Education Committee
In accordance with 2.a., the FEC will be chaired by the Minister of 'Education' and assisted by the Minister of 'Science and Technology', and 'Culture and the Arts' whose responsibilities include:
a) the general oversight of spending
b) accountability of government for the decisions of the FEC

4. Secondary Schools and Infrastructure
In accordance with the objectives set by 2.e., the FEC will be tasked with administering a 15-year term investment in the physical infrastructure of secondary schools. The government will provide (but not limit itself to) $2bn annually to the FEC to go toward:
a) modernizing educational facilities
b) revitalization projects, targeting deteriorated and/or deteriorating educational facilities
c) funding and promoting extracurricular programs

All of Section 4 is subject to future public spending decisions

5. Notes
The Bill will be hereby referred to simply as The Education Act
The Federal Education Committee abbr. FEC, will be overseen by the Ministry of Education.

Article 3: Union Recognition and Certification Act, 2009

The Ministry of Labour and Industry promotes a stable and constructive labour relations climate and fosters productive workplace relationships.

Human rights provisions, fair employment practices, equal pay and anti-discrimination laws are all embodied in this labour legislation.

Discrimination by race, religion, color, creed, sex, age or other factors is prohibited. All jurisdictions are to require employers to pay men and women equally for the same work.

Section 1 - Right to Belong to a Union
"an individual unorganized worker is commonly helpless to exercise actual liberty,"
(a) employees are permitted to join unions for the purpose of bargaining collectively with their employers on issues concerning wage rates, fringe benefits and other working conditions.
(b) Labour codes in all jurisdictions guarantee the right to representation by a trade union following a certification process outlined in legislation.

Section 2 - Union Certification
(a) The Union submits an Application for Certification to the PoFo Labour Board. If, as at the date of application, 40% or more of employees support the Union, the Board shall order a vote. If 65% or more sign a union card the Board will automatically certify the bargaining unit.
If a vote is ordered and If more than 50% of the votes are in favor of having a union, The Board will certify the Union.
(b) Employers' Rights - It is an unfair labour practice for Employers to attempt to interfere with the formation or selection of a Union. However, Employers or managers are permitted to communicate statements of fact or opinions reasonably held with respect to the Employers business. On the day of the vote, neither the Union nor the Employer may, at the workplace or polling place distribute printed material or engage in electioneering for the purposes of influencing the vote.
(c) Once certified a Union becomes the exclusive bargaining agent for all of the employees in the bargaining unit whether they are members of the Union or not. The Employer cannot settle wages and working conditions directly with the employees. The employer is required to negotiate only with the Union which has been certified and no other one. After certification a Union can, by notice, compel an Employer to meet and bargain a collective agreement.
(d) De-recogition
Mirror image of recognition
(f) In the interests of stability an agreement lasts a minimum of 12 months unless the union can be shown to have used unfair labour practices
(g) Unfair labour practices:
Coerce people to become union members;
Use threats, intimidation, or violence;
Force an employer to punish a worker because he/she doesn't get along with the union;
Charge excessive union dues;
Refuse to bargain in good faith with the employer.
(h) Firms who employ fewer than 21 employees (taking into account employees in associated companies) are excluded from the legislation
(k) Employees have a right not to join the union.

Article 4: Changes in the Rate of Petroleum Revenue Tax, 2009

Petroleum Revenue Tax

Petroleum Revenue Tax (PRT) is administered by Pofo Revenue & Customs Large Business Service- Oil & Gas Sector (LBSOG) –formerly Oil Taxation Office or 'the OTO'. This is a tax which seeks to tax a high proportion of the economic rent (super-profits) from the exploitation of the PoFo's oil and gas. PRT is a field-based tax: in general, the costs of developing and running a field can only be set against the profits generated by that field. Any losses, eg arising from unused expenditure relief, can be carried forwards or backwards within the field indefinitely. There is also a range of reliefs, including:

•oil allowance - a PRT-free slice of production
•supplement - a proxy for interest and other financing costs
•Tariff Receipts Allowance (TRA) - participators owning assets, for example pipelines, relating to one field will sometimes allow participators from other fields to share the use of the asset in return for the payment of tariffs, and TRA relieves some of the tariffs received from PRT
•exemption from PRT for gas sold to PoFo Gas under a pre July 1975 contract
•cross-field relief for research expenditure
PRT is currently charged at 50 per cent on profits after these allowances. For a limited period safeguard relief then applies to ensure that PRT does not reduce the annual return in the early years of production of a field to below 15 per cent of the historic capital expenditure on the field.

As part of a package of PRT reforms the rate of PRT is increased from 50 per cent to 80 per cent and PRT relief for Exploration and Appraisal (E&A) expenditure is abolished

Changes in Rates and allowances - National Insurance contributions, 2009

National Insurance - rates and allowances; $ per week 2009-10
Lower earnings limit, primary Class 1
$95
Upper earnings limit, primary Class 1
$844
Upper accruals point
$770
Primary threshold
$110
Secondary threshold
$110
Employees’ primary Class 1 rate between primary threshold and upper earnings limit
11%
Employees’ primary Class 1 rate above upper earnings limit
1%
Employees’ contracted-out rebate
1.6%
Married women’s reduced rate between primary threshold and upper earnings limit
4.85%
Married women’s rate above upper earnings limit
1%
Employers’ secondary Class 1 rate above secondary threshold
12.8%
Employers’ contracted-out rebate, salary-related schemes
3.7%
Employers’ contracted-out rebate, money-purchase schemes
1.4%
Class 2 rate
$2.40
Class 2 small earnings exception
$5,075 per year
Special Class 2 rate for share fishermen
$3.05
Special Class 2 rate for volunteer development workers
$4.75
Class 3 rate
$12.05
Class 4 lower profits limit
$5, 715 per year
Class 4 upper profits limit
$43, 875 per year
Class 4 rate between lower profits limit and upper profits limit
8%
Class 4 rate above upper profits limit
1%

p.s. revised.

[Vera Politica]

I formally object to The additional category in Article 2, S.2.b (ii) - this is even less progressive than Canada and the way community colleges are funded in the United States... And it would never work in reality, students would hold strikes and rally against the government. Wouldn't we need to consider these eventualities (in game)? Plus, universities would simply be more inclusive in order to attract more applicants without any risk (moral hazard) since whatever they deem science will be funded by the government. I don't like it.

Anyway, I will try my best to get that amended if we form government.

[ingliz]

You want the government to decide or noone?

The problem is we are tied by the starting point and we do not have enough money to implement our full programme.

Pragmatically, we have to present a package that is acceptable to the other parties and tertiary education was a sticking point.

A purely utilitarian policy is not ideal but most of what we want is better than nothing. The amendment eases pressure on the budget and helps the package to pass.

You may have government deciding what is or isn't "science". I am awaiting a decision. Personally, I think a government quango judging what is or isn't of intellectual worth a very bad idea and I would rather leave it to the individual universities to decide.

+stop press+

Government decides

[Vera Politica]

You may have government deciding what is or isn't "science". I am awaiting a decision. Personally, I think a government quango judging what is or isn't of intellectual worth a very bad idea and I would rather leave it to the individual universities to decide.

I don't like it either way. what might be more pragmatic would be the universities deciding, but giving he FEC oversight that the individual universities do not abuse that specific power in order to get more funding.

[Zyx]

Present the Final Bill to the Parliament.

[HoniSoit]

Anyway, I will try my best to get that amended if we form government.

I have my reservation too about the bills but let's see it as a starting point. Like you say, we will continue to push our social and economic policy in more progressive directions.

Present the Final Bill to the Parliament.

Yes, I have asked Demo to formally start a voting thread.

[ingliz]

Did you incorporate the final amendments? Yes, OK, I've seem them.

[HoniSoit]

Yes.

[Mazhi]

Guys and girls, I don't know if I can still stay in the game. I have exams coming up and need to study a whole lot, and after exams I'll be away for like 2 months. Can you get a replacement or something?

[HoniSoit]

That's OK. We will find a replacement.

I'm thinking of TIG if he has the time.

[ingliz]

Zyx has been one our most active members, I think he should be offered the seat.

[HoniSoit]

OK - I have informed the clerk about our replacement of Mazhi by Zyx.

[Zyx]

I suppose that I'll take the seat.

How does the cabinet look? Any open ministries?

*gets to work.*

[ingliz]

Any open ministries?

Infrastructure

How does the cabinet look?

Treasurer: Brio
Attorney General: Subversive Rob
Defence: FallenRaptor
Education: MistyTiger
Culture, Heritage and the Arts: Potemkin
Labour and Industrial Relations: ingliz
Environment and Energy: Zagadka
Trade and Finance: Holt
Foreign Affairs: Gletkin
Home Affairs: Vladimir
Health: Gnote
Science and Technology: Vera Politica
Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government: Empty

Ministers work to make the initial legislation which is first amended by the party and then by the chamber. We try to reach a consensus without giving up our core values but being a minority government we almost always have to compromise on something.

[HoniSoit]

ingliz is correct.

Zyx - you have the choice of Ministry of Infrastructure, Ministry of Agriculture or some other ministry you can think of that hasn't been included on the list of ministries.

[Brio]

A question, what exactly does the treasurer do in this simulation?