There is a new mood of confidence, satisfaction amongst Guyanese

TIMES INT'L

Dear Editor,

I read with interest a recent article, headlined: “Fewer Guyanese looking to migrate”. The article was referring to a survey conducted for the Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP).

According to the findings of the survey which was conducted mid-last year, Guyanese are more satisfied with their lives and are therefore less likely to migrate to overseas destinations.

I know of several Guyanese who are in receipt of US visas and who go on short visits to the United States and return home, even though they could have remained much longer if they had so wanted.

This is quite unlike what transpired before, when Guyanese desperately tried to escape to the United States both legally and in some cases illegally, because of deplorable living and working conditions and PNC authoritarian rule.

This new mood of confidence and satisfaction amongst Guyanese today is consistent with the LAPOP findings that life in Guyana is much better than before; and that Guyanese are less inclined to work and live overseas than was the case under the former PNC regime.

Something good must be happening in our country to have resulted in a new dispensation where the vast majority of visa holders prefer to go on short holidays overseas and return to their country, rather than spending longer periods or risk overstaying their stipulated time.

Both the so-called pull factor or what is referred to as the “greener grass” syndrome as well as the push factors such as crime and lack of opportunity to earn a decent living in Guyana, have been significantly reduced since the PPP/C assumed office on October 5, 1992.

Hydar Ally

Related posts