Many still under poverty line

POVERTY line is the global standard set by the World Bank required for human survival.
The poverty line is initially used by the United States by comparing a person’s or family’s income to a set poverty threshold or minimum amount of income needed to cover basic needs.
People whose income fall under their threshold are considered poor.
The first measurement used to measure the poverty line is US$1 (K3.4)per day.
That threshold was increased to US$1.90 (K6.5) then to US$2.5 (K8.6) per day in 2015.
The latest threshold of the poverty line currently stands at US$7.50 (K26) per day.
The thresholds change periodically to adapt to the upward inflation rates globally.
The estimated level for a Papua New Guinean to have must be K315 in a fortnight.
This poverty line also helps our government set up its minimum wage.
This standard is to be calculated per person above the age of 18.
Thus far we can see that the majority of Papua New Guineans do not even have that amount.
The vast majority of our population struggle to make ends meet in our cities and towns.
The data will be shocking if thorough primary research is carried nationwide regarding the poverty line.
It can be seen that many above 18 years are too dependent on their parents or older family members for their day to day survival.
Our government should really face the facts and do some critical findings about our real status.
We cannot live a rhetoric life by saying that we are rich and self-sustaining.
As we are living in a globalised community, we also are influenced by how we live.
Our rural villages and hamlets no longer live on that traditional barter system.
Cash has now become more of the traded commodity which we our parliamentarians have to take note of.

Maru Igabi