Dear Editor,
I take this opportunity to highlight a worrying experience faced by all the toshaos throughout the length and breadth of this beautiful land of ours, Guyana.
Toshaos are paid a stipend of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000), and this little amount is usually paid every two months. These men and women are elected leaders of their respective communities, who serve their communities on an almost twenty-four-hour basis every day of the week (24/7).
In the Guyana Times of 30th October, 2021, I read about the commitment made by His Excellency Dr. Irfaan Ali, reassuring the public servants of an increase in wages and salaries before the end of the year, retroactive from January, 2021. I applaud the Government of Guyana for its continued efforts at addressing this issue, since it is my belief that this group of people deserve to be treated with full respect.
This brings me to my main question: Which category of workers do toshaos fall under? Should not these persons be considered as public servants too? In my humble opinion, I think toshaos deserve better than just a stipend. These men and women work tirelessly for their respective communities. Toshaos wear many caps, and do the work of peace officers, Police officers, councillors, receptionists, negotiators, forest rangers, managers of their respective communities, and the list goes on. The Village Councils which they head are like an arm of many Ministries of the Government (Amerindian Affairs, Agriculture, Health), since they are expected to execute many plans of the Government.
The CSOs and the C.I.I.P workers are being paid the same amount of stipend ($30,000), and when one compares their work load to that of the toshao, it is very evident that toshaos deserve to be treated with a lot more respect. The duties and responsibilities of a community leader are far more than one can imagine, and I feel it has been too long that toshaos are being neglected in this area.
To make matters even worse, most toshaos are family men and women. How can someone do all this work and still manage to provide for their families sufficiently with thirty thousand dollars? We do encounter expenses for our school children, and we have family obligations, which all require money to get done.
Editor, recently pensioners were awarded a twenty-five- thousand-dollar ($25,000) cash grant. That was most welcome. Farmers are in line to benefit soon from some relief cash from the Government of Guyana. Sugar workers too were able to received monies just a couple of weeks ago. It would not be a sin to consider paying toshaos a salary. I humbly recommend that we be paid a sum equal to, or above, the minimum wage of this country.
Editor, I am fully convinced Guyana has true leaders who really care for all Guyanese, regardless of sex, age, religion, creed or geographical location. I think it is time to have our toshaos be considered as public servants and be paid a salary, and do away with the stipend they receive presently. The festive season is upon us, and just imagine our toshaos spending thirty thousand dollars to meet the needs of their families.
Reward us with a bonus to motivate us to work even harder to achieve our community goals and serving our communities better. I close here, pleading for salaries for our toshaos.
Respectfully,
Vivian Edwards
Village Toshao
