Thursday, August 06, 2009

Harsh Economic Realities

Fact: my little brother just got a fancy schmancy summer job as a honour student of the nation's premier university (as Ivy League as it gets without the lizards) and he just bragged to me that he is being paid nicely. Just how much is nice in Jamaica for a university senior? The eqquivalent of USD$410 per month.

That saddens me deeply. It also brings home the fact that the struggles here are plentiful... and the earnings little.

I had a meeting with one magazine that offered to pay me $35 per story- and I will take it because I believe in the publication and I could use the outlet. Fact is, that labour is very cheap in Jamaica. It may be the only commodity that trades so cheaply. So people who produce the goods, can't afford to buy them...isn't it ironic?

2 comments:

Gia Fernandes said...

Sounds a lot like home!
Re the magazine, how many words will they expect for this pittance? And will that include pix? If so, don't take it! You should get extra for the pix and ask them to pay you per word, it will work out better for you.

Azikiwe said...

...summer job..US$410 per month...mad ting !

 
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