Dear Editor,

Was there a misinterpretation of the biblical doctrine of the first being the last and the last being the first in the timing of the parliamentarians’ salary hike?

Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke repeatedly declared the restructuring of public sector compensation would place all public sector employees in a better position. This restructuring resulted in some select public sector employees receiving a salary increase of 100 per cent or more and parliamentarians’ salaries increasing more than 200 per cent. Amidst the public outcry against the massive pay hike for politicians, I wondered whether this decision was in any way influenced by biblical teachings or merely a reflection of an undeniable reality or gospel truth?

A well-known Christian principle guides us to give thanks for “small mercies”. Kishallia, a young tertiary-trained civil servant, quotes this principle frequently. In April she revealed to me her disappointment because her monthly salary was increased by only $20,000 and not the $30,000 she was anticipating. But she was giving thanks for small mercies because she decided to save this additional amount in a special account to pay for her one-year-old daughter’s education in a private early childhood institution in the next two years. I quickly calculated, but she smiled so sweetly when she mentioned this plan, I chose not to dampen her spirits.

Kishallia is a single mother and committed Christian who previously paid her babysitter $9,000 weekly or $36,000 monthly. With the new minimum wage increase starting June 2023, she will pay $13,000 weekly or approximately an additional $17,300 monthly. She throws tithe, which would be an additional $2,000 more in monthly expenses.

Given that many workers in factories and other sectors earn minimum wage, its increase will automatically trigger other price increases throughout the economy. Even a small increase in taxi fare of $10 or $20 in one direction will be an additional expenditure of $100 or $200 weekly, approximately $430 or $860 monthly for her. Cooking gas, grocery, and utility bills will also increase. She will unavoidably retain nothing from this salary increase of $20,000 because it’s all spent, even before buying formula for her baby.

I don’t know whether the conclusion of the biblical story of the Parable of the Ten Talents was prophecy or social or spiritual commentary, but we were warned in Matthew 13:12, “For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance, but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”

Thoughts, anyone?

Daive R Facey

DR.Facey@gmail.com