The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Tourism Minister Chester Cooper rightly noted that there is fatigue regarding the stubborn persistence of COVID-19 that refuses to go away.

In the first 21 days of May there have been 700 new infections recorded. In April, 287. The numbers are climbing.

Within one month the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in the US moved the COVID-19 level from 1 to 3. I believe another upgrade and a possible fifth wave are imminent, with the highly anticipated Labour Day parade scheduled for June 2 and the Dexter Daps concert in Freeport on June 4, or thereabouts.

Combined, both events have the potential to draw thousands, possibly causing another massive outbreak in Nassau and Freeport.

I get that the PLP is labour friendly, in the tradition of the legendary Sir Randol Fawkes. I recall the PLP and the Trade Union Congress and National Congress of Trade Unions Bahamas signing a MOU in August - weeks before the election.

I encourage the PLP government to continue dialoguing with the unions regarding the implementation of a living wage for working-class Bahamians.

Investopedia defined living wage as a “theoretical income level that allows individuals or families to afford adequate shelter, food, and other necessities”.

According to the website, the “goal of a living wage is to allow employees to earn enough income for a satisfactory standard of living and prevent them from falling into poverty”.

As Labour representatives have rightly complained, Bahamians can no longer survive on the current minimum wage, especially with record breaking inflation on food, medicine and fuel.

External factors, such as the questionable decision of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to flirt with NATO, which led to the Russian/Ukrainian War, and the Leftist policies of US President Joe Biden, have both led to the inflationary crisis that is eroding the Bahamian middle class.

Having said that, I think the PLP should tread carefully with allowing the TUC and its affiliates to stage a large parade, even if they promised to enforce strict standards and health protocols.

Since the opening of the Bahamian economy, we have rebounded well. We cannot let our guards down at this stage.

With a projected $11.6bn national debt, the state is no longer in the financial position to dole out hundreds of millions to unemployed Bahamians, via NIB and Social Services, in the event a COVID-19 outbreak frightens away hundreds of thousands of stopover visitors.

I’m all for the Labour Day theme of Forward, Onward, Upward, Together with Labour. However like other concerned Bahamians, I am just not willing to do the same with COVID-19.

KEVIN EVANS

Freeport, Grand Bahama

May 26, 2022.