The development of this country is heavily weighted on the hands of the working class people. In order to keep the momentum of growth moving forward, Government continues to commit to the working class people of Guyana.

Under the five year agreement concluded in 2006, persons benefitted from a five percent salary increase from January 1, 2008. Members of the disciplined services also benefited from a similar increase.

The Guyana Teachers received the following benefits:

* A five percent per annum across-the-board increase for all categories of teachers;

* A one percent of the wage bill as a performance-based increment per annum for eligible teachers;

* Increased remuneration for teachers who have improved their qualifications;

* An annual clothing allowance for teachers of $6,000 per teacher;

* One-off duty free concessions for vehicles for 100 Head teachers per year;

* A housing revolving fund of $40M per year for 2006-2010, that is, $200M by 2010 to facilitate construction of houses for teachers;

* 25 Government-sponsored scholarships per year for teachers at the University of Guyana.

In May 2008, Government established a temporary cost of living adjustment initiative to cushion the effects of the global fuel and food crisis. Employees of the public, teaching, and disciplined services whose salaries were below $50,000 received a monthly payment of $4,000. In December 2008, the same initiative was incorporated into the basic salaries of beneficiaries of employees of the public, teaching and disciplined services who were not in receipt of the monthly payment of $4,000, because their gross pay was above $50,000.

In 2008, the total salary increase received by public servants, teachers and members of the disciplined services ranged between 10 to 24.1%. Employees with low salary scales were the main beneficiaries of higher rates increase in salary.

Because of the global food and fuel crisis, food prices in Guyana increased by 27.2% last year; and Government has now increased the tax threshold by 25% from $28,000 to $35,000 per month, and for some time now removed the value added tax (VAT) from a number of items.

The global food and fuel price increases made food security a major concern within the economy. As a result, the Jagdeo Initiative was discussed to revitalize the agriculture sector to promote food security. Since Agriculture is the foundation of Guyana’s economy and a major contributor to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), it is vital to note that it has links to other productive sectors of the country’s economy.

And so, Government continues to commit itself to the working class people of Guyana, to ensure that their interests are protected and establish methods to maintain a good macroeconomic environment for the benefit of all.
Marissa Lowden