Dear Editor,
I would first of all like to quote from Michael Maxwell’s letter to KN headed ‘8% public servant pay increase is not what it seems,’ in which he states “… Jagdeo will retire like an Emperor with his ridiculous pension, gardener, cook, secretary, security guards, use of state motor vehicles, free travel the world over and more…” Mr Jagdeo’s need for employment may be redundant after such a magnanimous financial endowment.
The flip side of the coin is that the majority of Bureau of Statistics (BOS) staff have no guarantee of getting any pension upon retirement as we have been lobbying for this benefit since last year. Upon enquiry we have been told that the approval for BOS staff to get pensions and other benefits on retirement rests with Mr Jagdeo, and to date (more than a year later) his signature has not been forthcoming. Meanwhile, a few members of staff have retired and there are quite a few more expected to retire in the near future; these staff have nothing to look forward to. Is this fair? Are we not Guyanese? Does the money for pensions come out of Mr Jagdeo’s pocket? Why is this approval taking so long? And why are BOS staff not notified of any development – if any at all?
I beg to add that my salary is $38,521, which gives me a net of $34,221. After transportation costs, light, phone and water bills, I’m left with $12,200.00. To be exact approximately US$100 per month to feed myself and children and buy clothing, footwear and give daily stipends. This is madness. A starvation salary! The 5% increase for 2010 amounted to a little over $1000.00 after tax, and that immediately went to increased transportation fares. But, the President wouldn’t know of this because he doesn’t travel in minibuses every day to face the embarrassment caused by abusive conductors who demand the increased fare.
To quote Mr Maxwell again: “Eight per cent public servant pay increase less 4% inflation less 33% income tax less 5% NIS and less 16% vat leaves a 1.84% increase… for working class people.” This is our reality.
I call on Mr Jagdeo for a real living wage, I call on Mr Jagdeo to give BOS staff their dues and benefits upon retirement. We want a pension too.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address provided)
