SURVIVING on a minimum wage was always difficult. Workers who are paid daily, weekly or fortnightly have always struggled to maintain a lifestyle in which they could, at minimum, properly feed themselves, raise their families and have the means to get to and from work.
However, with the covid19 pandemic, the Russian/Ukrainian war and several other global shocks taking the world and TT by storm, the cost of living has risen drastically. Even though the Government has put several initiatives in place, raising the minimum wage multiple times and broadening tax brackets, these moves do not seem to match the growing rates at which food, services and important items have increased in price.
Bring down food prices, raise the minimum wage
Business Day spoke with minimum-wage workers in Port of Spain, who said their wages are barely enough to maintain themselves and their families. They said despite the increases in the minimum wage, high prices have made it too hard to carry on the business of living.
They called for a reduction in food prices, easier and cheaper transport, and an increase in the minimum wage, which now stands at $17.50.
“Living on minimum wage is tough,” said Bahati Garnes, a store clerk from Laventille Road. “You really live from paycheque to paycheque.
"If the government could find a way to drop the food prices by just a little, that would be beneficial to minimum-wage workers. I would also like to see the gas prices go down as well, because that has a lot to do with transport.”
Garnes said he makes less than $1,800 a fortnight, of which most is spent on food.
[caption id="attachment_1037434" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Commuters at the Maxi Taxi terminal at City Gate, Port of Spain.File Photo - ROGER JACOB[/caption]
“It varies,” he said, when asked how his salary is spent. “I have to eat breakfast and lunch, I have to travel, which, if I add it up over the fortnight, would be about $120.”
Garnes, the father of a seven-year-old girl, said he also has to think of schoolbooks and items for his daughter, although he gets assistance from relatives. He added that he also has to contribute to the home, which will run him about $500.
Aida Plowden, a home-owner who lives in Barataria, said food is also among her biggest bills, but she also has to pay utility bills. She also complained of having to live from paycheque to paycheque.
“Almost half my money goes into getting food. Utilities such as light bill and water rate also add up.
“These days everything is going up with food. I try to take only what I need from the grocery and make sure that it lasts for as long as it can.
"With me doing everything by myself, it is hard for me to save for a rainy day.”
Mikel Tappin, a Morvant resident, said while the burden of home bills is shared by herself and her relatives, the day-to-day challenge of commuting and feeding herself takes up the largest share of her salary.
“When I calculate it, I have to work two hours to buy a box of food. That just doesn’t make sense to me.”
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