Dear Editor,
Why is it that minimum wages in this country are so low? After 19 years in 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 a week and this includes four hours on Saturday, meaning 44 hours a week. This minimum wage was established in March 2008 and has not, to this day, been adjusted. How can anyone exist on $18,000 to $24,000 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 when the cost of living is factored in. The minimum wage should be at least $40,000 a month for that cashier/clerical worker on Regent Street. And where is the tax reform for all the citizens of Guyana whether rich or poor? Come on, Mr Government, help us realize President Cheddi’s struggle and dreams for the working poor.
Yours faithfully,
Cheddi (Joey) Jagan (Jr)
