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The minimum wage should be at least $40,000 a month

Feb 27, 2011 Letters

Dear Editor,
I thank Kaieteur News for publishing my letters and for contributing to the welfare of press freedom in this country, considering that the government owned press and television media is so biased and one-sided, and we, the citizens of Guyana are saddled with another expense, paying for PPP propaganda in the state owned media – a travesty against the norms of a true democracy.
Why it is that minimum wages in this country are so low? After 19 years of PPP Government, the cherished dream of President Cheddi, which was that the working class of Guyana should prosper, is only a dream.
The reality is that a young woman working on Regent Street as a clerk, salesperson or cashier would only make $4,500 (US$23) a week and that includes four hours on Saturday, meaning, 44 hours a week! This minimum wage was established on March 2008 and has not, to this day, been adjusted. How can anyone exist on $18,000 to $24,000 (US$120) a month?
Extend this premise to all other categories of jobs and we can see that the workers of this country are all grossly underpaid with the cost of living factored in. The minimum wage should be at least $40,000 (US$200) a month for that cashier/clerical worker on Regent street and adjusted upwards for other categories of work. And where is the tax reform for all the citizens of Guyana whether rich or poor? Come on, Mr. Government, help us realise President Cheddi’s struggle and dreams for the working poor.
Cheddi(Joey)Jagan(Jr.)

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