I have noticed in the Kaieteur News of July 5, 2010 a response from Mr. Sasenarine Singh to my letter. It was in fact the lead letter in the paper. Mine was not given the same prominence.
Let me say that Mr. Singh did not answer any of the issues that I had raised. He did not say what was done by this government to cause his somersault after the 2006 elections.
As is so common with present day anti-PPP persons they try to hide behind Cheddi Jagan. Now that he is dead many are attempting to use Jagan to fight against Jagan’s PPP.
Singh says that he is driven by Dr Jagan, that the sweat of labour must be justly rewarded. He is implying that the PPP/C government is no longer pro-working class. Let us consider the facts.
In the first place at the beginning of 1992 the minimum wage was ($2,800 in the public service it is now $36,098. The free pay before tax was $48,000 per annum; it is now $420,000 annum. Is this not pro-working class?
Those are some of the direct benefits. However, there is much more gains. Since 1992 more than 70,000 house lots were distributed. Most of this have gone to the working people.
Poor people’s children are going to school again and passing exams in increasing numbers. This is because of the great investment that this government has put in education. Just to point out that more than 1,000 schools have been built and renovated by this government. Many years, Guyanese students have been topping the Caribbean at CXC exams.
The PPP/Civic government has also been giving hot meals in schools to poor people’s children. They are even considering providing transportation to students who need this.
We can see the same thing in health, water etc. Indeed we are carrying out open heart surgery, we have a cancer ward, a burns unit etc.
The PPP/C government has removed the means test and all persons pensionable age collect a pension which has been increasing every year.
Apart from these material things the government has done a lot to protect workers. It is a fact that labour legislation is the most advanced in this country than any other in the region. This administration has signed more ILO Conventions than any in these parts. Workers right to a union of their choice, thereby getting rid of company unions, is guaranteed here.
I believe that Cheddi Jagan would have been proud of the performance of his successors.
I wish to conclude by making just two other points. Whenever people like Sasenarine Singh and Freddy Kissoon cannot debate a writer they are quick to say that the person is a phantom writer. Deal with me with facts, not try to hide behind accusations. That is if you can.
Secondly Sasenarine Singh has quoted passages from a previous letter he wrote in praise of Robert Persaud.
Well Sasenarine curses the government he also curses Robert Persaud.
That he has taken pains to single out Robert Persaud for good performance could only be motivated by self-interest.
Is he thinking that Robert may be the Presidential Candidate? It appears so. Therefore he is trying to be in Mr Persaud’s good books in the hope of getting a minister wuk?
As I have said the Sase breed is pure opportunism.