The Exodus

The queues at the passport office are long and seem endless, where only a limited number of applications are accepted for the same day service. Professionals in many fields, especially in the hospitality industry, are looking for employment overseas or even migrating, since living in this country has become unaffordable. The basic wages they earn are just impossible to meet all their monthly requirements.

Parents, living in the city and elsewhere, are encouraging their children to go overseas for further studies and encouraging them not to return once they have completed their studies but try to remain overseas and make a life for themselves. Anxious parents are selling their property and other valuables to enable their children to lead a better life than what they are undergoing right now.  Villagers too are desperate to move overseas as trying to make ends meet is just impossible.

Owing to this exodus our hospitality industry is finding it impossible to retain their staff or even find professionally trained individuals to fill in the vacancies that are aplenty. The same applies to all the restaurants around the country. 

In this current climate, since we are well aware of what our nation is going through to keep itself and its people afloat,  people feel guilty to enjoy an evening or day out. Please do not feel too guilty. If you can afford it, patronise commercial establishments since they need to sustain their businesses and pay their staff. 

Most eating establishments have been reasonable and raised their prices marginally. The establishments that have raised their prices to match market prices are many and most avoid patronising them out of guilt and sensible thinking;  Justifying the cost of a meal for two that could cover a month’s basic costs of a low income earner is not possible if you have a conscience. There are a few who seem to not care.  Fortunate are those who are paid in foreign currency as they can continue merrily without feeling the pinch. We cannot blame those who wish to migrate or look for greener pastures outside this country due to the cost of living, which is impossible as well as unreachable to make ends meet.  The loser will be the country.