The $25,000 COVID-19 relief per household is unacceptable

Dear Editor,

As we hear more and more news of investments being made in Guyana, about the much touted $25,000 per “household,” I wonder why no one is saying anything about the lack of announcements for bonuses for public servants. It is a depressing situation for many of us who would have had to turn out to work in public transportation, risking our lives to ensure that the people who depend on us get their services dealt with, as best as we could and as well as the “system” permits.

I am not saying that the $25,000 is not appreciated, but what really can $25,000 do for a year, for the ones who are eligible? Because not every public servant is eligible for the said grant. Not every public servant is eligible for uniform vouchers, which are being talked of as though it is a bonus and not an allowance. And the $15,000 that will come on stream next year is spoken in this manner, but we all know that the majority of people will just spend it for non-educational purposes. After all, it’s Guyanese we are dealing with.

I do not accept the “Emergency” budget as a valid excuse for not giving us something to look forward to. They can very well get a supplemental budget and give us something for this festive season. It is this season, more than ever, that we need a raise, one that is retroactive, because prices for items have been skyrocketing due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Further, it would boost this economy further than any tax break given to large companies because there would be more demand for goods and services this way, rather than the promise of trickledown economics, which can be equated with the trickle truthing that occurs in unfaithful relationships, sheer lies, and more and more, you discover that what they lied about is far worse than what you are led to believe.

I call on other public servants, it’s time to strike! Time to demand the respect we so deserve and the salaries we work hard for to be at a respectable level! Forget the inept unions, who have barely said a peep, forget the other politicians, who will pretend to care about your plight, when in reality; they are in it for cheap brownie points! We should all refuse to work until we have not commitments, but actual, tangible solutions!

Respectfully
Amir Khan