The Struggles of the Middle Class: Housing, Public Transportation, and Survival in a Changing World
The Struggles of the Middle Class: Housing, Public Transportation, and Survival in a Changing World
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September 8, 2024
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The middle class?is under immense pressure, mainly due to skyrocketing housing prices driven by demand fueled by tourism. Housing availability dwindles as more visitors flock to tourist hotspots, leaving local families struggling to find affordable homes. However, housing isn’t the only issue.
Another critical problem is the lack of a proper public transportation system. For years, locals have endured a network far from efficient or comfortable, mainly as the climate crisis brings increasingly unbearable heat. Public transport is becoming torturous without air conditioning, which is only now being considered. Since the 1980s, the late Deputy Bennie Demei?proposed much-needed reforms for public transport. Many followed him in championing the cause, and recently, parliamentarian Osepa?raised the issue again. Yet, it all remains talk, as no one dares to confront license holders, including taxi drivers, leaving the middle and lower classes to suffer.
But the problems do not stop at housing or public transport. Even surviving day-to-day has become increasingly difficult. Air conditioning, essential in these soaring temperatures, is a luxury many cannot afford to run. While renewable energy, like solar panels, could offer some relief, they are out of reach financially for most. The rising cost of living, particularly inflation, has also made healthy food unaffordable. This further deteriorates the health of the middle class, which is compounded by an increasingly inaccessible healthcare system. The costs of healthcare, combined with an unmanageable new hospital and the rising salary demands of specialists and staff, mean many cannot afford the care they need.
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Education, traditionally the way out of poverty, is also being compromised. It is not just about the quality of education but access to it. Children should be able to attend school with full stomachs and sit in classrooms with proper air conditioning, but this is far from the reality for many families. Adding to the challenges, the lack of basic infrastructure like sidewalks makes daily life more difficult.
In this context, it is also necessary to question the performance of housing corporations like FKP, which reportedly has 9,000 uninhabitable homes and a waiting list of around 6,000 people. Even if that number is less, it paints a grim picture. There is no coherent policy for the middle class, which continues to sink deeper into hardship. The path back to stability and prosperity seems increasingly unattainable.
Miguel Goede
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Managing Partner at Risk Intelligence Solutions & Consultancy
2 个月What stands out again is the lack of action from our leaders. Obviously, some will argue that not all issues can be dealt with, because of the lack of funds. I can live with that as long as the public funds are truly used were necessary, the pace is not lethargic, and we plan ahead and provide transparency. Unfortunately all these are long gone.... ?? ???
Executive Consultant, Strategist and Civil Aviation Specialist
2 个月Murphy’s quote: "If there are two or more ways to do something, and one of those ways can result in a catastrophe, then someone will do it that way". ?? In a political context, it serves as a crucial reminder to anticipate potential pitfalls and prepare for them, because anything that can go wrong, will go wrong, and often at the worst possible time!