The Editor, Sir:

An increase in the income tax threshold was promised to Jam-aicans in 2005. However, on the first few days of the New Year many Jamaicans who were looking forward to carrying home a little more were very disappointed.

I do not think that the Govern-ment has the right to break verbal contracts with the people of the country with no compensation. Had we the people owed them money, they would have been sure to claim it at the earliest opportunity.

I think that as citizens, we should lobby that the difference in salary be made retroactive as it is no fault of our own, that the Minister of Finance did not put the necessary measures in place. I can only hope that a prominent member of society, since those are the only people whose voice is heard, will step up to the pitch and defend the rights of the downtrodden. It may not seem like much, but for those who only take home enough to pay bills, an extra $1 is more than we originally had.

I am, etc.,

DEIDRE BROWN

daydriwill@hotmail.com

Via Go-Jamaica