Dear Editors,
Public sectors workers are at odds with the Government over what they term a weak offer. They have outrightly rejected the offer and have staged sit-ins and sick-outs to express their disapproval of the single digit increase.
Political and financial analysts are divided on whether or not it would suit the Government to offer more than that which is on the table. The governing party is caught between the rock and a hard place with International Monetary Fund targets to meet, local and general elections in short order, and disgruntled public servants to deal with. While the majority would agree that the public servants deserve a better salary increase, the more important issue has been avoided. The issue of income generation for the country to pay its debts and its workers.
The country relies heavily on tourism and remittances as sources of income generation. Sugar production has been ailing for the longest while, banana is struggling, bauxite has died, Air Jamaica was sold, and the list goes on. The path the country is on is leading into darkness with a sliding dollar and a government debt-to-GDP ratio of 132 per cent in 2014, and a national debt at over two trillion dollars. Every month the dollar loses ground to the three regularly traded currencies; in 2008 it was $72.23, now in 2015 it is $116.10 to one US dollar and sliding. Our money is just circling within our four walls and losing strength. There is not much money coming in from export to grow the economy, crime and violence continues to scare away investors, and the cost of production is too high, hence we are behind in the competition.
We need to stop and look at why Bermuda can offer a starting salary of US$70,000 per year for a police officer; Trinidad US$36,000 for an assistant teacher; Singapore US$20,400 for a registered nurse. What is it they are doing that we are not? Will we continue to borrow to pay workers and debts? It is simple, if our expenses exceed our income, then we will always be indebted to our lenders, and public sector workers will always be on the side of have-nots. Teachers, nurses, and police officers will not think twice to take up job offers in other countries. The onus is primarily on the Government to steer the country along a path that is comforting to its citizens and inviting to visitors.
Public sector workers are now faced with a new offer at risk being out of a job, joining the thousands of Jamaicans already unemployed. When all is said and done, the reality of the situation is that the Government cannot afford to grant the amount of increase the public sector workers are seeking. This is a result of not being able to grow the country's economy.
Hezekan Bolton
St Catherine
h_e_z_e@hotmail.com
Take it or leave it! They can't do any better
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Public sectors workers are at odds with the Government over what they term a weak offer. They have outrightly rejected the offer and have staged sit-ins and sick-outs to express their disapproval of the single digit increase.
Political and financial analysts are divided on whether or not it would suit the Government to offer more than that which is on the table. The governing party is caught between the rock and a hard place with International Monetary Fund targets to meet, local and general elections in short order, and disgruntled public servants to deal with. While the majority would agree that the public servants deserve a better salary increase, the more important issue has been avoided. The issue of income generation for the country to pay its debts and its workers.
The country relies heavily on tourism and remittances as sources of income generation. Sugar production has been ailing for the longest while, banana is struggling, bauxite has died, Air Jamaica was sold, and the list goes on. The path the country is on is leading into darkness with a sliding dollar and a government debt-to-GDP ratio of 132 per cent in 2014, and a national debt at over two trillion dollars. Every month the dollar loses ground to the three regularly traded currencies; in 2008 it was $72.23, now in 2015 it is $116.10 to one US dollar and sliding. Our money is just circling within our four walls and losing strength. There is not much money coming in from export to grow the economy, crime and violence continues to scare away investors, and the cost of production is too high, hence we are behind in the competition.
We need to stop and look at why Bermuda can offer a starting salary of US$70,000 per year for a police officer; Trinidad US$36,000 for an assistant teacher; Singapore US$20,400 for a registered nurse. What is it they are doing that we are not? Will we continue to borrow to pay workers and debts? It is simple, if our expenses exceed our income, then we will always be indebted to our lenders, and public sector workers will always be on the side of have-nots. Teachers, nurses, and police officers will not think twice to take up job offers in other countries. The onus is primarily on the Government to steer the country along a path that is comforting to its citizens and inviting to visitors.
Public sector workers are now faced with a new offer at risk being out of a job, joining the thousands of Jamaicans already unemployed. When all is said and done, the reality of the situation is that the Government cannot afford to grant the amount of increase the public sector workers are seeking. This is a result of not being able to grow the country's economy.
Hezekan Bolton
St Catherine
h_e_z_e@hotmail.com
Take it or leave it! They can't do any better
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