There was nothing new in the recent announcement of a coming increase in petrol prices. It is part of an infection that has been plaguing our society for years now, and it is a problem for which no one seems willing to suggest a solution. It was thus not surprising to see an increase in the price of petrol added to the long list of services and commodities that have had their prices increased over the years.
The price of petrol too should be allowed to have its share of increases, just the same as electricity, water, gas and other commodities. Over the past 20 years the prices of electricity, water, liquefied petroleum gas, cars, real estate, rents, consumer goods, air tickets and almost everything has gone up. Only one thing has remained completely unchanged and static: Wages. The salaries and wages that support almost every house and person in our consumer society have been the only thing that has not experienced an increase.
The question that keeps coming up over and over is how people can be expected to cope with all these increases that never seem to stop. How can people make ends meet and strike a balance between a limited income and securing their basic needs as long as prices of basic goods and services keep going up?
Those who plan for these increases tend to forget that if things continue in this way, there may come a time when many will not be able to cope with the rising cost of living. This is surely inevitable unless wages are routinely revised and increased — but this seems an unlikely possibility as long as the majority of citizens are government employees.
This is a matter calling for urgent action so that we don’t wake up one morning to find goods and services in plenty but no one who can afford them.
Arab News From the Local Press 7 July 2003
