GUYANESE workers will be celebrating Xmas in fine style

– unlike our less fortunate Bajan  brethren, facing 2014 without employment

IT cannot be  that  this is  Christmas as usual, celebrated in that uniquely and well-known Caribbean style for our sister CARICOM state  of Barbados’ residents, given the dreadful news of a massive downsizing of its workforce, announced by its Finance Minister, Mr. Chris Sinckler. Finally, what had been speculation, has now been confirmed.This  Eastern Caribbean island that is known for its well-managed economy has, along with Jamaica especially, been struggling to combat the debilitating effects of the  international economic meltdown. We can only empathise with our  CARICOM brethren, wishing that they overcome their challenges.
Guyana has been very fortunate in being able to withstand the economic perils that most of its CARICOM colleague states have been facing. It is a fact, well recognised by international monetary institutions, and for which they have commended the Government of Guyana, for its well-managed fiscal policies and management of its economy.
One would have noted, that despite the incessant criticisms of the PPP/C government, inclusive of mis-management of the economy, Guyana has – for the seventh consecutive year – been able to report an economic growth of  almost 5%, been able to sustain its workforce size, while concomitantly giving an annual 5% increase in salaries and wages. No other CARICOM state has been able to achieve these benchmarks, with the exception perhaps being Trinidad and Tobago.
Of course, better can be done; but, it must be borne in mind that citizens can only benefit in accordance with their country’s economic performance – a reminder to those that have been protesting against the 5% raise to salaries and wages.
Guyanese workers will be celebrating in fine style, as traditional, and with the assurance that their jobs are intact. This ought to be a sober thought for us, as we think of our less fortunate Bajan  brethren, facing 2014, without employment.