THE argument now gathering pace surrounds the $50,000 non-taxable salary, and the inevitable question: What can it do for the working class?
On a practicable basis, this sum can go a long way in terms of offering relief to an average household. For since government has made provisions for free uniform assistance, free hot meals and snacks to every school, free text books, and free health care, these measures would have had the effect of relieving household of cash that can be utilised in terms of saving income, which can be diverted to improving the nutritional standards of the home.
Of course, there is the contention that such a sum cannot suffice for a medium-sized family eating requirements, because of the high cost of living. Of course, the latter is a fact of daily living in virtually every state, as it is well known that the era of cheap food is over.
But confining the focus to Guyana, this nation is blessed with an abundance of foods of all variety, that even though prices do fluctuate, are mainly within the reach of small income buyers for the providing of quality meals.
Thus, $50,000, even though a small sum, can suffice for a family with prudent shopping.