Latest update March 31st, 2025 6:44 AM
Latest News
- ExxonM and CNOOC sticking to 11B barrels figure in Stabroek Block, but Hess says estimate higher
- Deadly Israeli strikes mar Gaza Eid celebrations
- Govt. to roll out automated speed ticketing system next week
- Bandits push down guard, rob Chinese nationals of over $1M in cash, other items
- Omai increases gold pit drilling
Is the minimum wage being adhered to?
DEAR EDITOR,
Immediately after the NCM and the country was under the impression that elections will be held soon, the social media started buzzing about the increase of minimum wages by supporters of the ruling coalition. I comment on one politician’s post that the statement is not entirely correct and amongst his reply, he pointed out that I am bitter. As I indicate before, if I am, I have all right to be. I am not one of those hypocrites who would see something wrong and not point it out. In and out of politics, that attitude has caused me a lot and I still continue to speak out, not for me alone, but for those who are afraid. Now this administration and its supporters are boasting about the increase of minimum wages to sixty-five thousand dollars, which I agree with, but are workers getting that?
No! The majority of them are not getting that and it is this Government’s fault that people are not getting it because they should have ensured that it is enforced. Sales girls/boys are seemingly the largest set of workers throughout Guyana and approximately ninety percent of them are not getting two thousand dollars a day to take home. Walk along any of these two streets, Regent or Robb Streets, they have the most stores and workers and whilst browsing, I chatted with one of them and heard their stories. Their working conditions, hours, facilities, duties and mainly their salaries are something to shake your head about. Most of their salaries are between two thousand dollars and two thousand, five hundred dollars a day but most of them are two thousand dollars. I was able to verify this after I spoke to one manager of a popular store at Regent Street after I was inquiring about jobs for two Venezuelans I was accompanying. The manager was not interested in employing them and suggests that we visit the Chinese stores or stores that have items that are attracted to the Cubans, because his products are huge items and Cubans are purchasing mostly clothes and small items for shipping to their country. After a little persistence, I was told that the salary is two thousand dollars per day and out of that NIS and PAYE have to be deducted, which roughly leaves you with around sixteen hundred dollars. Even with the ability to translate between English and Spanish, the salary is still the same and a requirement at some stores now. I find the salary to be insulting to the workers and with the additional knowledge to translate, they should have been given an extra stipend. For years now, this atrocious behaviour has been going on. Has anyone cared enough to rectify it?
Editor, quite recently one Minister indicated that the Venezuelans entering Guyana should ensure they register and get their documents sorted out so that they could pay their NIS and PAYE. Bravo for that, but I wonder if the Minister is aware that many places of employment also take out NIS, PAYE/TAX from people’s salary and don’t submit it? Only recently, the NIS issued notices that some companies/firms should check with them. No doubt it’s about them not paying the contributions of staff. One security guard living close to me said she is working with a security firm for three years and when she had to look after her glasses, she was informed that no contributions have been paid for the period she has been working with the firm. Like her, there are many other businesses deducting money out of the workers’ salaries and not paying it the agency. Now what could be done to remedy this situation that has been going on for as long as I can remember? No one knows how long the Venezuelans will be here for and some have already chosen to go back even though things are bad there and should the situation change, I am assuming most will return to their country.
Now given the actions by those who don’t like to pay people’s contributions, who will stop them from deducting money from the Venezuelans salaries and not paying when they know or assume that the Venezuelans will not be here to claim their contributions? Anyhow, it’s all fun and exciting to see that much interest is being shown to foreigners/aliens and our own cannot be looked after. In a nutshell, the wages are low, contributions are being deducted and not being paid, PAYE are not being paid to GRA but we are showing the new comers that everything is in order. The beauty about it is that we literally have over one hundred reporters in Guyana and whenever someone says something, they repeat without confirming or investigating.
Sahadeo Bates
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Choosing between bad and worse
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- I’ve always had an aversion to elections, which I suppose is natural for someone who... more
The U.S. “Joining” the Commonwealth: an unreasonable expectation
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- Recent media stories have suggested that King Charles III could “invite” the United... more
Weekend Cartoon
