Dear Editor,
The fact that this government is less than five months old and believes it is their birthright to have their salaries increased so stupendously is truly amazing. No amount of justification could be used at this point in time to make this seem right. None! Not only is this repugnant, it is immoral.
Considering pensioners were given a minuscule increase from $13,125 to $17,000, or an increase of 30%, and public servants a measly increase of 5% how can the government not see the insensitivity of their action? Interestingly the Minister of Finance stated in his 2015 budget that “there will be moderate increases for public servants and pensioners.” Is there a reason why there is no moderate increase for cabinet ministers? How can the new government be so insensitive to these issues so soon. Not only is this insensitive it is also immoral.
If the Stabroek News’ quote of Minister of State Joseph Harmon stating that he is “not going to make any apologies whatsoever for ministers getting an increase in salaries” is correct, then this level of arrogance only reminds one of what passed for governance in the previous administration. As someone who seems to always be in the media, maybe it is time Mr Harmon either consider the services of a Public Relations consultant or simply gets out of the limelight. The action in itself is immoral but his words show his arrogance towards and his disdain for Guyanese questioning his government’s actions. This action and the arrogance that came along with it compounds the issue and makes it harder for those people who were sitting on the fence to see any reason for supporting the coalition.
It is time the government got its act together, because while 2020 may seem far away, the government seems to be laying the foundation to get itself kicked out. People voted for change, not exchange.
Yours faithfully,
Nik Alleyne
