Dear Editor,
The Walter Rodney Youth Move-ment wishes to state our dissatisfaction with the method and timing of the increase in the salaries of ministers and the members of parliament. The electorate, a majority of whom voted for this government, had expectations that this current administration would ensure that the needs of the people would be met before the needs of the individuals in power.
From the perspective of the youth, the non-convening of the National Youth Council and National Youth Conference along with some other yet to be completed plans that were stipulated in the APNU+AFC Action Programme for the first 100 days, along with what some may call marginal increases to public servants salaries can be perceived as rewarding self while not accomplishing what was promised.
While we understand the reasoning of Minister of State Joseph Harmon, we would like to remind him that corruption does not only occur at the top echelons of our society. Thus, the same reasoning that was given to justify the increase in salaries for the ministers and MPs can be used to justify why public servants such as the police, nurses and teachers deserve a meaningful in-crease as well.
We are of the firm belief that this decision and the method by which the public was made aware of it will leave a bitter taste to the mouths of many supporters of the government since it strays away from the many messages preached during the campaign season that dealt with real change, transparency and accountability. We also wish to alert the current administration that the perception of the public must not be taken for granted when making decisions, and that their first duty is to serve the people and not self.
Yours faithfully,
Clayon Halley
Walter Rodney Youth
Movement
