Dear Editor,
In his book The West On Trial Dr Cheddi Jagan referred to his childhood experience of visiting the exclusive manager’s compound at Christmas time when the estate manager’s wife would stand on a balcony from the manager’s mansion and throw down coins. She enjoyed the spectacle of a mad scramble for the coins by the workers’ children. The wheel has turned a full circle and for a number of years we are witnesses to the government handing out salary increases to public sector workers just before Christmas.
At first blush, the timing for the payout looks like a stroke of genius, to knock the wind out of the sail of unions representing these workers.
A closer examination of the matter shows a deeper implication.
Where does all this money end up? The final destination for the money is the bank accounts of businessmen.
Those accustomed to unrestrained revelling should reflect on this matter.
The leaders of the Afro Guyanese community should demand an end to Boxing Day as a holiday for starters and seek to substitute Kwanza, at least for the African Guyanese. The best way to beat the 16 percent VAT and the government’s scheme is to boycott Christmas and smile in January.
Yours faithfully,
Yaston Roberts
