ON Wednesday President David Granger announced that all public servants earning between $100,000 and $1M will be receiving 8.5% increase and those who are earning less than $100,000 will be receiving 9% increase. Those earning a minimum wage of $64,220 will be receiving, in December, $69,336 as retroactive pay
Minister of Finance Winston Jordan, stated, earlier on Wednesday, that the minimum basic salary in the public service will ‘move’ from $64,200 to $70,000. All of the increases will be tax-free and will be retroactive to January 1, 2019.
The Guyana Chronicle, on Thursday November 14, 2019, took its microphones into the streets to solicit the views of Guyanese on the salary increase. The views have been captured below:

“the increase is good because it gon help us out a lot, because well certain thing wa you can’t do with yo salary wa yo use to get, with this increase could help you with situation, like me I is an example like I does got to travel from far and the salary I’m getting right now is not really working out; by time I done pay passage to reach work half gone. It is very good for me I could say and be very good for people,” Angelicia Robertson said.
“I believe it would be something good especially for persons who are handling debit. Such an increase will be a plus on their part because it could actually pay off some stuff that they have been saving up for, and even buy more and handle more of the affairs in a more efficient and effective manner and still have a bit more to live comfortable enough,” Darrell Boustwick said.
“From 2015 to now it show that the government is making an increase and I think this is a good idea, plus this will be a good start for next year this is a good start,” Claude Lewis said.
“I think the increase is good because for a very long time Public Servants have been at the bottom but we are getting there. For me I appreciate it,” Claudette Tobin said.
“For me it is a very good step, it is a good increase, it is a good move and it is coming at the right time when they all as public servants expected it, it is a pity I am not in the public service. I would have love to enjoy it. But it will come down to me in some way because I am a businessman,” Sherwin Dublin said.

“ I would say the salary increase is good and as the Finance Minister said that it would be retroactive from January 1, it make no sense we ask for a bonus and then you still getting the same salary, so is best we accept the salary increase and get your retroactive. So I think is something good I don’t think it is a bad move they deserve it,” Mr. McKinnon said.
“I think the increase is a good effort the government is making and I know that is just a wink because I know, in the future, this same government is going to do more great things for our nurses and other public servants in Guyana. They are doing good so far. I love this government because we use to be getting 5% and 2% and it never use to be tax-free now it is tax-free so I am happy for it and I am contented,” Lorraine Hall said.

“I heard that some teachers were waiting anxiously for the news to come out when they will get the increase and how much it will be and finally when the news came the teachers were jumping up. They were very happy with the increase and now they are waiting on the day to be paid; people are happy about it and it helps a lot,” Denton Osbourne said.
“The pay increase is an unprecedented move by the President David A. Granger led Coalition Government to continue to bring the Good Life to all Guyanese. As public servants we have seen significant increase to our salaries, amounting to the promised 77 percent cap mentioned by the Minister of Public Finance over the period 2015 to 2019. I am intrigued to see where such a caring government will lead this country as we approach 2020 and beyond; we have seen such rapid increases without even receiving first oil profits. The part I look forward to the most are the hikes in the allowances, as we have seen significant increase in almost all of them. No matter the situation, these allowances will never be taxed; so this should be the area that persons should be most excited about. I have been a teacher for several years and cannot remember so much emphasis being placed on the Public Servants; I can humbly conclude that His Excellency is on a mission to make us some of the most respectable persons in the Caribbean. As I pass almost every corner, persons are literally thanking His Excellency and team for ensuring that we have a great Christmas and a Prosperous 2020. My Government has put a smile back on the faces of many and I must say how grateful I am for these mercies,” Douglas Gittens said.