Dear Editor,
For the past year, I have travelled several times from Crabwood Creek to Parika and observed the exploitation of illegal immigrants just like what happened in Trinidad during the oil boom in the 1970’s. I discussed this with the VP Dr. Jagdeo at the oil conference. The following are some concerns.
1) Many illegal immigrants, women in particular, are using their bodies at brothels as employment. Many local youths and married men are involved, which costs money, hence, more stealing and wife beating etc. The wives on the other hand are cheating on their husbands.
2) Illegal immigrants are being exploited, underpaid for a day’s work. Because accommodation is provided by some employers, and since some employers are aware of their illegal status they are threatened with deportation for cheap labour; some employers even have intimate relationship with their employees’ wives and daughters
3) Some migrant children do not go to schools
4) To facilitate exploitation narcotics are provided
5) Guyana needs the labour skills due to the oil boom to prevent inflation due to supply and demand
I appeal to the gov’t, the people of Guyana, grant resident status to all illegal immigrants. I am sending a copy of this letter to the President and the Vice President, who seldom listens, and think they know everything and thus creating a mess in the country with their inexperience to handle this trickle boom.
Sincerely,
Joe Persaud P. Eng,
CSCE, EIC, Priest