Minimum wage $18 per hour

THE EDITOR: Any group contemplating winning at least a two-thirds majority in the next General Elections must offer the electorate of Trinidad and Tobago proposals like the following:

(a) Old Age Pension of $1,000 monthly for all citizens who attain the age of 60 regardless of their current income. Then, further, on reaching the age of 65, these pensioners must receive an increased payment of $1,500 monthly. Preferential treatment and recognition in other areas must be afforded to all senior citizens. After all they are the ones who have given 30 to 40 years of blood/sweat/service towards the building of this country.

(b) National Insurance benefits must be increased to $2,000 monthly for all citizens who satisfy the requisite qualification ie the required amount of contributions/payments.

(c) Immediate paving of all roads that require urgent attention (main roads, secondary roads, access roads, lanes and traces.) Most of the paving must be done at night. Overpasses and walkovers must be started immediately and continued until complete. There must be no talk about “we’ll look into it” or “work will begin soon”.

(d) The utilities of water, electricity and gas must be available to everyone at a new reduced rate with immediate effect and the implementation of water-sharing to distant areas for at least twice a week so that no distant area is out of water for long. The price of petrol at gas stations and the price of cooking gas must be reduced to make the lives of citizens more in keeping with our wealth.

(e) Minimum wage to $18 per hour. Overtime $20 per hour.

(f) Interest on Savings 10 percent at all commercial financial institutions to encourage a habit of saving. Interest on Loans and Home Mortgage must be lowered to facilitate clients. Loans for Home Repair raised to $50,000. Free Internet connection for schools and homes to encourage awareness, knowledge and general information/education.

Of course, whoever governs must be prepared to use the country’s wealth to subsidise all these efforts in the interest of all its citizens. After all we have the means. Then and only then can we realistically envisage a 20-20 Vision with zero employment in this land of paradise. The country will no longer be divided but it will automatically will be united.

M GRAY
Laventille