Dear Editor,
We are shocked but not surprised by the miserable increases in the starvation-level old age pensions and public assistance from $6600 to $7500 and $4900 to $5500 per month respectively. This is one example of the continuing economic violence against impoverished women, men and children which we and others have been protesting.
While all of us who have written letters to the press and demonstrated for a living income for old age pensioners and women and men on public assistance must take some credit that increases have been granted at all, we have to continue and step up our campaigning. Before the budget increase, the old age pension could not buy a loaf of bread a day, now it can buy a loaf with a few cents left over. Before the increase, public assistance could buy less than a pint of oil a day; it still can’t. Is this fair? Is it just? Is it decent?
Actually, it’s obscene.
Which Members of Parliament spoke up against this outrage before they went home to eat a reasonable if not rich meal?
Yours faithfully,
Andaiye
For Red Thread
