Viewing with scepticism our nurses’ sudden rise from slumber

Dear Editor,
Pockets of nurses are staging protest action, calling on the Government for improved pay and other allowances. I saw on social media one nurse with a placard stating that she earns some $88,000 per month. The obvious question that went through my mind was: How long had she been earning that sum? Certainly, it was not yesterday, or even the day before, but it must have been several months.
So, it then led to another question: Where was the exuberance to protest then when she was given that $88,000 which she now decries? Undoubtedly, if $88,000 is too little now, and the cost-of-living hasn’t changed markedly, she was struggling for some time.
Again, I ask: Where was her voice and placard then?
Our nurses’ sudden rise from slumber has caused many to view their actions with skepticism.
I saw another nurse holding a placard that talked about sugar workers benefiting from $50B. This, of course, as many know, is a blatant untruth, as only 10 per cent of the sum that nurse is claiming has been allocated to the sugar industry. But, again, where were the voices of this nurse and her colleagues when sugar workers got not even a penny during the tenure of the last Administration. I wonder where she was when 7,000 workers were sent home, they and their families being left in the cold and on their own. I doubt she even uttered a whimper; but now, when 1.5 per cent of the Budget is allocated to help tens of thousands of her fellow Guyanese, we see a big commotion.
This is gravely and grossly unfair to the sugar workers, who did no crime, but were made to do the time.
So, while nurses may deserve more pay, I ask: Don’t all workers deserve likewise? We all live in the same society. We shop at the same markets. We buy the same goods. We all want to make our families happy. Why should one group see themselves as different from others? What about our teachers, or our Policemen and women; our soldiers, our public servants, and so many others who toil and sweat? They are no different, and are equally deserving.
So, while I have nothing personal against the nurses, they are not doing themselves any favours. They are alienating their colleagues, rather than earning their support. They have done a fantastic job in the circumstances, and the Government has recognised this and has made available tangible support for them.

In conclusion, I saw the Johnny-come-lately former Finance Minister Winston Jordan now beating his chest and speaking about advocating on the nurses’ behalf. He tells the nation he spearheaded efforts to bring relief. Too little too late, I would say!

Yours faithfully,
Patricia Persaud