Dear Editor
I write here on the issue of Moses Nagamootoo’s position with regard to the Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Act of 2009.
First I interpret Moses’s statement that from the beginning he was opposed to the level of benefits and that he did not support it to mean just that, and he did oppose it and vehemently so. I do not interpret this to mean that he did not vote for it in Parliament. There are always disagreements with regard to decisions but parliamentarians will vote in accordance with the decisions. Maybe in hindsight Moses should have at least engineered not to be present.
This letter however serves to inform the public that I was in attendance at the meeting of PPP members of parliament as Advisor to the Minister of Labour when this matter was being discussed. I distinctly recall that Moses vehemently opposed the level of benefits and called at least for caps to be included so as to limit the level of benefits. He was ridiculed by some present in the most rude and vicious manner. I recall at least two others present at the meeting opposing the open ended benefits.
Unfortunately in the end it was carried because most of the persons now present in the leadership have no connection to Jagan and his legacy, no connection to the working people, no concern for their basic needs and no concern for their aspirations, having been manipulated into leadership by Mr Bharrat Jagdeo. Many of the others have lost their vision and dreams and in some cases, their morality. Definitely they have lost their testicular fortitude, or in the case of females whatever female equivalent there is.
It’s a shame that while going to lengths to defend the obnoxious benefits to former presidents, they have kept most workers below a living wage and fall deaf to the cries of the ordinary workers and blind to their plight.
It’s time the people unite as one as we have done so many times in recorded history; it’s time we realize that colour should not blind us to our common oppression; should not blind us to our common interest and should nor prevent us from collectively defending ourselves and our children and the future of our beloved country.
It’s time for change.
Yours faithfully,
Rajendra Bisessar