Please publish this letter sent to the Prime Minister.

Dear Sir,

As you will remember, a few years ago when Dr Omar Davies took a look at the booming tourism industry, he chose to tax the gratuities/tips of the hard-working hotel employees, much to the dismay of the people in the sector. After all, how can it be fair to tax my tips?

Given our present economic situation, especially within the tourism industry and the status of the sliding dollar, could you find it in your good grace to correct the mistake of the People's National Party government and reverse this extra tax that is being applied to our salaries. Please, take into account that the gratuities paid has dropped significantly and the price of food has been escalating on a daily basis.

We, too, are people with growing children, who are attending schools and they too pay taxi fares and need to buy clothes. Take also into account our single parents. We are slowly moving from middle class citizens to poor people. I hate to even imagine what will happen to others less fortunate than myself.

I am, etc.,

KAREN BARRETT

Montego Bay