Higher minimum wage no guarantee against exploitation

RAISING the basic minimum wage from eight to nine dollars per hour will not prevent some employers from exploiting their workers. This according to Harrack Balramsingh, spokesman for the non-governmental organisation — Citizens for a Better Trinidad and Tobago (CBTT). The organisation, in response to last Friday’s Budget presentation by Prime Minister Patrick Manning, stated that many poor workers are still being paid an hourly rate of four, five and six dollars, adding that exploitation against the poor would continue for a long time to come if  Government turned a blind eye to the injustice done to workers.

Balramsingh said his group tried to get employers in the recent past to desist from paying employee’s way below the present minimum wage of eight dollars, but to no avail. “Many of these workers are taken advantage of because they are not members of trade unions,” Balramsingh said. Although Balramsingh stated his group was in full support of the $50 increase in hampers to the needy through the Share programme, he felt early consideration should be given to a Food Stamp programme which would enable persons to purchase from bonafide grocery stores. “A $250 hamper may be sufficient for some families, however, others may need more because they may have more mouths to feed.”

The CBTT also said it was in support of free tertiary education for all. “This will be a dream come true for many since a number of citizens are still unable to afford an education beyond high school, even with the GATE (Government Assisted Tertiary Education) programme in place,” Balramsingh said. “The high price of rent, food, transportation and books are prohibiting many students from pursuing their tertiary education at the University of the West Indies and other institutions. So this free education promise is something to be supported.” he added.