Part 74
Stabroek News spoke to members of the public in Riverview, Georgetown about the rising cost of living and how it is affecting them. The following are their comments:
Marlyn Jaisingh
Marlyn Jaisingh, a 50-year-old housewife said: “The cost of living is not affecting me a lot because only one child lives with my husband and I. My husband is the sole breadwinner of the family. Other relatives from overseas would usually help us out by sending stuff for us. But still, the cost of living is not easy because I have my daughter’s UG fees to pay every month, then we have a mortgage to pay and other items to pay off. My husband works as a teacher and his salary is not increasing, but the prices for items are high in the markets. Indeed, the cost of living is high. Only because I do not have a lot of children, I am not complaining about the cost of living. My family and I try to cope with the cost of living by budgeting, assistance from relatives overseas and my husband providing lessons in the afternoon to children. For example, a big bottle Wesson oil a couple months back cost $3,000; now the oil cost $5,500. Before 6 roots of pak-choi cost $300; now I’m buying 3 roots of pak-choi for $500. A pack of carrots before cost $300; now a pack of carrots cost $700-$800. Since COVID-19 prices for items have gone up and there hasn’t been any vast increase of people’s salary. Even the cost for electricity has increase. I think the government should consider increasing public servants’ salary more and reduce the cost of living.”