By Sharda Bacchus
More than 33,000 public servants and members of the Disciplined Services are set to receive a substantial 10% retroactive salary increase, which will be paid out before the end of December 2024.
This landmark increase, the largest of its kind, will see approximately $7 billion placed into the hands of public servants across the country.
Senior Minister with responsibility for finance Dr Ashni Singh, in an exclusive interview with the News Room, spoke at length on the increase on Tuesday, hours after it was announced by President Dr. Irfaan Ali, stressing that the salary boost reflects the PPP/C government’s commitment to improving the livelihoods of the nation’s workforce.
Dr Singh also noted that, when compounded, the salary increases for the years 2021 to 2025 amount to an impressive 46%. This, he pointed out, does not include several other government initiatives aimed at enhancing the lives of citizens, such as affordable housing and extensive infrastructure development.
Minister Singh further noted that teachers have already benefitted from a multi-year agreement with the government and the Guyana Teachers’ Union, signed in August 2024.
The three-year agreement includes a 10% increase for 2024, an 8% increase for 2025 which is similar to what all other public servants will receive.
But it goes further and already assures of a 9% increase for 2026, along with various non-salary benefits.
In addition to the teachers’ agreement, Dr Singh shared with the News Room that the government was happy to have successfully negotiate two similar agreements with the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) and the unions representing workers at the University of Guyana.
He described the deal with the GPSU as “historic”, marking the first-ever multi-year agreement concluded by any government with the union in recent memory.
“I think it’s well-known that we have for a very long time tried to conclude multi-year agreements with the major unions representing public sector employees,” Dr Singh commented.
“The conclusion of a multi-year agreement with the GPSU is a truly historic development because it is something that has not been achieved before,” he added.
Dr Singh also highlighted the active engagement between President Ali’s government and major trade union representatives, noting the government’s proactive stance in increasing the pay and benefits of public sector employees.
He added that this move is a step towards improving the conditions of service for the working people of Guyana.
Discussions are currently ongoing with other agencies and unions to secure similar agreements, Dr Singh revealed.
Additional Benefits for Public Sector Workers
Beyond the 10% salary increase, the multi-year agreements contain several key features aimed at further benefiting public sector employees:
- Qualification Allowances: Starting January 2025, public servants with higher academic qualifications will receive new monthly allowances. For instance, those holding an Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) qualification will receive $15,000 per month. A Master’s Degree will entitle holders to $22,000 monthly, while those with a Doctoral degree will receive $32,000 each month.
“This reflects our government’s recognition of the importance of attracting and retaining qualified people in the public service,” Dr Singh said.
- Debunching of Salary Scales: A significant change to salary structures will allow employees in the first six salary scales (GS1 to GS6) to be adjusted based on their years of service. After four years in a specific grade, employees will be moved to the mid-point of their scale, and after eight years, to the maximum of that scale. Dr Singh explained, “This acknowledges and rewards both longevity of service and experience.”
- Allowance Adjustments: Various allowances, including travelling and hinterland allowances, will also be revised as part of the multi-year agreements.
- Scholarships and Duty-Free Concessions: The government has committed to providing at least 100 scholarships to GPSU members annually, further promoting professional development. Additionally, 100 duty-free concessions will be granted each year, particularly aimed at experienced nurses, to make the public sector more attractive and retain skilled professionals.
“This initiative means that 100 experienced nurses will be able to own their own vehicles every year,” Dr Singh said.
These measures, Dr Singh noted, are part of the government’s ongoing efforts to improve the public sector’s working conditions, increase employee satisfaction, and ensure that Guyana continues to attract and retain the best talent in its public service.
Source www.newsroom.gy
