Labour Minister Manzoor Nadir yesterday reiterated Government’s commitment to work with all labour unions to provide better working conditions for workers as they seek to propel the country’s development.

Minister of Labour Manzoor Nadir and the GPSU General Secretary Chandrawattie Persaud at the church service

Minister Nadir was at the time speaking at the Guyana Public Service Union 86th anniversary at the St. Andrew’s Kirk, Brickdam.

He urged the unions to pool their resources for the betterment of their workers and that they must work to serve their members’ best interest.

In attendance were Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud, the Union’s General Secretary Chandrawattie Persaud and other executives of the GPSU and representatives of other unions.

Government has been working continuously over the years to improve the lives of public servants and has consistently increased the minimum wage, in addition to providing fringe benefits for them.

On a number of occasions it has also increased the income tax threshold so that those workers who earn the minimum wage will not have to pay taxes.

In addition, it has provided subsidies on several food items, while others were zero-rated, thereby allowing the workers greater purchasing power.

The GPSU came into being on June 8, 1923, when 110 civil servants met in St. Andrews Hall in Georgetown and unanimously passed a resolution approving an approach be made to then Governor Sir Graeme Thomson to sanction the formation of the British Guiana Civil Service Association.

The Organisation was first named the British Guyana Civil Service Association (BGCSA). It has grown over the years with over 80 branches established within the various Government Ministries and has a membership of approximately 10,000 civil servants. (GINA)