LETTER TO EDITOR
Dear CMR,
Imagine I've worked for a local salon for 1.6 years and gave it my all and even sacrificed my family time because I had to work Monday – Saturday. I cried living tears when I felt like I couldn't bare the hours anymore but still focused on the fact that I was a mother of 3 at the time so I didn't have a choice and giving up was not an option for me.
Only to now apply for my COVID-19 emergency pension withdrawal to see this dismal amount. I'm so stressed that now I have 4 kids and this cannot even buy groceries for my family. I lost my job due to the coronavirus and was hoping I'd have my pension to keep my family afloat until I can get another job only to see this!
My employer only made one payment in that time and now I will suffer because of it. My kids will suffer because of it. Almost two years later and I have still not received a dime!
You know what honestly hurt me the most is to see the individual throwing surprise parties, staycations with her daddy and living better than I am right now that's struggling with my family to make ends meet. Yet she lives lavishly!
I have rent to pay, light, water, groceries to buy, insurance is soon up I feel like my back is against the wall while watching the person who owes me make her life looks so flawless. She ain't got no worries in the world. I feel trapped, if I speak up I'm blacklisted and if I sit down and be quiet my family suffers.
Why do I have to ask my godmothers for help when I am owed so much? I can't even treat my kids to eat out, playdates, or even enjoy a fun-filled day at Kings Sports Center. It hurts when my kids ask to do something fun and I don't have the money to do it so I make empty promises which I don't know if I can even fulfill anytime soon. During COVID lockdown it was even worse – everyone needed a break!
I cannot financially afford it I have to inch and pinch on what I do have and the help I receive to make sure food is on the table for another day.
I am not and was never a person who liked handouts I work for whatever I want I am very ambitious. So for me to have worked so hard for so long and don't even have a pension to collect it's really heartbreaking and stressful.
I am currently seeking employment but it's so hard to find another job yet so many places are hiring. I've been on interviews and was told I was the best candidate only to follow up and be told they hired people already and was satisfied with who they hired but to keep in touch because they will be needing more people in 3 months' time.
In some ways I am lucky. A co-worker found out we had no health insurance coverage during a complication with her pregnancy. She lost that baby and I always wonder if it was the stress of worrying about finances during her emergency visit.
My employer's actions mean that I will now have to overly rely on the government and others for help. How is that fair?
How is this allowed? People can set up a business and steal from their employees and no one seems to care. If anything is ever done about this it will take years. I have no faith in the system. I have no faith in Cayman's leaders.
The opinions expressed in this published editorial are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinions of Cayman Marl Road or its Editors.
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