Give incentives to Jamaican people
Published:Saturday | October 26, 2024 | 12:06 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
We need more political leaders in Jamaica like Guyana’s president Dr Irfaan Ali. The recent generous and progressive initiative of the Ali-led administration to give each and every citizen over the age 18 years old a one-off grant of $800,000, along with a significant list of initiatives aimed at boosting the disposable income of Guyanese citizens, including doing away with over 200 taxes, such as, the value added tax (VAT) on water, electricity and essential food items. These measures are a giveback to the citizens of Guyana, fuelled by the magnificent growth of the Guyanese economy primarily due to the enormous revenue boost from the country’s oil production.
In Jamaica, citizens have benefited from the Holness-led administration’s increases in the minimum wage. But the wages of teachers, the police, nurses, security guards, and in the National Insurance Scheme among others remains low. So much more can be done for the people of Jamaica. Obviously, the aforementioned measures can’t be as wide-ranging as Guyana’s. However, there is room for far more initiatives to benefit Jamaican people. Some of these could include a rollback by at least two per cent of the general consumption tax; a one-off grant of J$25,000 to every Jamaican between the ages of 45 and 95. Additionally, those who are turning 100 years of age between January 1, and December 31., 2025 should receive $100,000 from the Government of Jamaica.
PATRICK GALLIMORE