THE EDITOR, Sir:I WAS so disgusted at the air of importance that the Minister of Labour, Social Security and Welfare exuded in announcing the 11 per cent increase in the national minimum wage.
I must say that his stating emphatically that it was an 11 per cent increase is an ingenious way of describing a $200 increase and is a way of making the 'minimum' increase sounded more palatable.
The increase pales in comparison to that offered to the Members of Parliament last year and in the context of the budget it is like robbing a man of $1000 and giving him back $200 and expects him to be grateful.
In a scenario of a five per cent increase in GCT on telephone calls, increase in phone rates and electricity bills and GCT on a myriad of products one wonders what is the justification for such a sad increase in wage to a group of workers that do not even have access to health insurance.
What surprised me is the acquiescence of the Trade Unions, Government and Employers Federation on the level of increase.
I think that something is definitely rotten in the state of Jamaica when you see all of these entities in agreement to proliferate the hardship of the lowest paid amongst us.
I am, etc.,
GEORGE YOUNG
Malu696@yahoo.com
