AN article I read in the Kaieteur News dated March 30, 2009 prompted me to write this letter- GPSU calling on government to pay public servants 14 percent increase. It disgusts me when people make demands on Government and do not acknowledge the efforts made to increase the lives of public servants. They speak as though, nothing has been done and corrupt the minds of the people, whose interests they claim to have at heart.

Government has over the years has steadily improved the lot of public servants. In 2008, public servants’ salaries were effectively increased by 19 percent, and while there might not be any visible increase in this year’s budget, there are provisions in it to ensure that public servants’ lives are enhanced.

In May of last year Government had granted public servants a $4,000 temporary Cost of Living adjustment (COLA) in view of the increases in food and fuel prices to help offset expenses and alleviate the burden.

However, late last year, the prices of fuel and food drastically decreased, and notwithstanding this , government took the decision to retain the COLA into the basic salaries. This decision was not because Government had excessive money to spend; but it was an act to ensure progressive improvements in the disposable incomes of public servants. In addition, this Government has increased the income tax threshold significantly from where it was in 1992 to current

In addition to granting this adjustment, other measures were taken so as to cushion the impact on public servants. Taxes on Gasoline fuel were drastically reduced.

All these are measures were to ensure that the lives of public servants are improved.

While there is room for improvement, it cannot go without saying that efforts are not being made. Given our limited resources, I would say a lot has been achieved and most Public servants enjoy a better life today.
EMILY GRANT