Dear Editor,
These days technical workers who earn between $35,000 and $45,000 per a month and are posted to a region where commodities are expensive and the cost of living consequently high, continue to earn enough only to feed themselves. To maintain a working adult for example in Region 9 or Port Kaituma in Region 1, costs $30,000 per a month, and that is just basic food and drinks. What happens with recreation, clothing and maybe tuition fees for a foreign language or a CXC subject you are re-sitting? And what about the unexpected costs an individual will incur during everyday activities? I could go on and on. Oh wait! What about saving a little for times of illness or maybe university?
Now let’s include a married man with a wife and 5 kids, who is earning $35,000 per a month, which is taxable. In addition, his children are going to school and they have to travel, and every living being should be able to eat three meals a day. A father of such a home has to be on a government worksite from 7am to 4pm. Should we expect a man in such a situation to be a happy guy? The answer is, no; he’s going to be hungry, most days he will be depressed and sad, and he’s going to look bad physically. The guy will be under tremendous stress trying to stretch a dollar to make ends meet. His home is going to be psychologically affected, and definitely not a happy one. His children are going to be short-changed, and will not be able to smile like the ones who are politically taken care of.
The above is a scenario of insecurity. No one who has children or who is responsible for the welfare of another person can describe anything more frightening than the feeling of helplessness when political forces fail to cater for the under-privileged whose cries are not heard and whose work goes unrecognized. The truth is this government cares little about providing better wages and salaries for the working lower class. Poor people continue to struggle for a comfortable living where they can wake up in the morning and have sufficient food on their tables and other basic necessities for a happy life; not necessarily a rich life, but an acceptable and comfortable one.
Some professionals trained in Cuba are doing the work a locally trained technician can do, yet earn triple the salary. I haven’t seen anybody returning to our shores bringing with them new technology, making innovations or introducing inventions.
A change is near! Citizens should make the right choice.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address provided)
