WITH the much anticipated budget debate (which kicked-off yesterday) there are two emerging camps as to the merit or not,  of the benefits  as outlined in the 2012 estimates.
As usual, there is the combined political  opposition, and others, that have labelled the $192.8B package as  anti-worker, as against  the  PPP/C government’s position of pro-worker. Two extremes, one will conclude. It has not been  unusual  for such an opposition viewpoint as it relates to almost every budget that this administration has presented since its return to office in 1992. What is so baffling, and even amazing is that, the budgets throughout the years have been bringing about exponential changes in the lives of even their constituents, and the nation in the ensuing process. It is only an alien who  will contend otherwise.  The  dozens of  housing schemes with their proud home owners as residents  is a phenomenal story worthy of international acclaim, for all those who  have been au fait with the scandalous squatting settlements  that mushroomed during the PNC administration.
This just-presented budget is a continuation of the benefits reaped by the Guyanese worker, thus far. For example, there is another increase in the income tax threshold, the third in as many years, that seeks to access workers to more disposable income. Does the opposition really understand what this means for the 21,000 beneficiaries?
So many accusations have been pointed at the government, as to their alleged treatment of the nation’s sugar workers. The AFC, who seemingly wanted to usurp the place of GAWU,   derided the government for every perceived  ill  as far as the treatment of the cane harvesters  was concerned. Rather than rationalizing that the  construction of the multi-billion-dollar Skeldon project was for the protection of the industry, and for assuring the livelihoods of its harvesters, this political gadfly seized upon the project’s technical difficulties, distorting same to prove government’s  discard of the workers. Well, these liars, all of them, have  been answered in the 2012 estimates, by an allocation of $4B  that will go towards returning the industry to viability.
And the pensioners, even they,  too, have derived some relief  from the current  budget. The critics seem to have forgotten that our senior citizens have been receiving very special attention from this government, almost immediately on assuming office, beginning with the removal of the means test.  Since that time, pensions have risen exponentially. I am certain that  its thousands of recipients  recall the sizeable increase  a while ago. Another increase  has  just  been announced.
Sure, there is no doubt that this working-class government would  endeavour to do more for the nation’s workers and other vulnerable groups, who have also received some relief; but, these interventions for the betterment  of  the Guyanese worker can  come about only with increased productivity on the latter part, as well as good management of the economy as  has been the case.