The Culture Digest
SQUANDERMANIA! - Minimum wage increases - Power Company hasn't filed taxes in almost a decade - Pomeroon is underwater yet again
Good morning Guyana!
Welcome to the Thursday, December 16, 2021, edition of The Culture Digest.
Here’s what happened since yesterday’s edition. Minimum wage increase approved?… Harmon accuses the government of illegal Squandermania…. Linden Electric Company hasn’t filed its tax returns in 8 YEARS… Severe Flooding in Pomeroon… Man senselessly murdered over $120 GYD
Top Story
Minimum wage increase kinda sorta approved, I guess idk?
The long-overdue increase in the minimum wage for private-sector workers to $60,000 from $44,200 is expected to be instituted before December ends. At first, they said they couldn’t increase their employees’ salaries due to the difficulties of the pandemic. (When in Doubt, Blame the Rona) But they finally agreed to do it in a staggered fashion. Nevertheless, the increase will only apply to about 10% of private sector workers. This is because they are doing it voluntarily. The life of the Labor Ministry's Tripartite Committee had already expired, so the pay raises can't legally go into effect until another Committee is formed and approves the increase. (At least that’s what I’m getting from all of this.) There has been no increase in the minimum wage since 2017. The then Ministry of Social Protection in 2017 increased the minimum wage from $35,000 to $44,200. This means that today, there are people in Guyana who receive less than $220 US for AN ENTIRE MONTH OF FULLTIME WORK.
Politics
"Squandermania"
Harmon is calling out the current government's spendthrift ways, referring to it as a "squandermania" that breaches the Constitution. He reminded that Section 14 of the Financial Management and Accountability Act (FMAA) states that the Minister must be satisfied that all matters under the sections are urgent, unavoidable, and unforeseen therefore justifying the need for the expenditure. But Harmon questioned the seriousness of much of the transactions made so far. He also criticized the government's choice to spend $5 billion from the Contingency Fund, which he felt were used for non-emergency reasons and, of course, was spent without Parliamentary approval, a move the government is now trying to resolve retroactively. While at the same time, they are asking for more money.
For some inexplicable reason, the Speaker of the House has barred debate on the economic analysis of the gas-to-shore project. When Patterson asked why Nadir said he doesn't have to give a reason. (Dun dun dunnnn!!!! The Squandermania continues!!)
LEC says, “What’s a Tax Return?”
The Linden Electric Company has not filed a tax return in over eight years. (Despite the fact the GRA demands you to file yours every year.) The company is in breach of several financial regulations and laws as it was last audited in 2018, and the last time an audit was laid in the National Assembly was in 2013. While the State received financial statements in 2019, none were received in 2020. Nevertheless, this information only came to light after the government installed a new Board of Directors in March of this year. (Two governments came and went during this time, and no one noticed this. This is why you have to scrutinize your government because they often don't even care enough to scrutinize themselves.)
Health/Public Safety
Heavy Flooding in Pomeroon
The communities of Karawab and St Monica in the Upper Pomeroon River are again underwater after just having recovered from the floods in May. Last Thursday, heavy rains left over five feet of floodwaters that have held steady as there has been heavy rainfall every day since. The CDC has since been dispatched to the area.
Minister Anthony is pushing booster shots to fight the Omicron variant.
Crime
In a senseless display of violence, 27-year-old minibus tout Paul Junior Lynch fatally stabbed 30-year-old bus conductor Morven Nurse during an argument over $120 GYD. According to police, Nurse and Lynch started arguing this morning at the Stabroek Market, but the argument turned violent after a while, ending with the broad daylight stabbing. Lynch has since turned himself in to the police. He also claims that Nurse was the aggressor as he had threatened him on numerous occasions before Wednesday morning’s fatal confrontation.
On Wednesday afternoon, 25-year-old Julian Harrison was found dead at the Beterverwagting Police Station. Police claimed his death was a suicide.
Amerindian Affairs Ministry Permanent Secretary Sharon Hicks is FINALLY going to be charged for bribery.
A security guard employed with Amalgamated Security Services was arrested after stealing $1.2 million from DSL and Massy Stores in New Amsterdam. However, the police only found $485,000 at the suspect's home.
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