— says President Ali

PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali has said definitively that before the end of the year, public servants will benefit from salary increases that would be retroactive. The Head of State gave this confirmation during a virtual news conference hosted on Monday morning, when he said that development in the lives of public servants is not being addressed in isolation, and goes far beyond salary increases.

“I am not only looking at salary increases. We are also looking at the mechanisms that would allow every public servant to own their own home,” Dr. Ali noted.

He said too that public servants have also been benefiting from several cash grants being disbursed by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic government. Since the Irfaan Ali-led government assumed office in August 2020 exactly one year ago, thousands of Guyanese have been able to capitalise on the $25,000 COVID-19 cash grant which has been given to every household in the country; there is also the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant which has seen each child within the public school system receiving $19,000 each. Additionally, due to the ongoing floods, the government has also announced some $7.8 billion worth in monetary aid for various categories of persons who have been affected.

Added to that, President Ali said that efforts are being made to ensure the academic advancement of Guyanese. “We want to empower public servants so that their children too can benefit from the scholarship programme, many of whom are already benefitting. The public servants themselves are benefitting and we are happy about this,” President Ali said, as he pointed to the government’s 20,000 online scholarships programme which has seen thousands of Guyanese being accepted into a number of internationally recognised universities, at the expense of the government.

HOLISTIC APPROACH
President Ali also pointed to the government’s efforts to institute tax waivers, tax breaks and tax reversals, as well as the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) on certain essential services.

“So, it’s a holistic approach to the improvement of lives and livelihoods; it is not a narrow window of only salaries; it is that holistic approach that is necessary,” Dr. Ali emphasised.

Turning his attention to the role of the unions representing public servants, President Ali cautioned Guyanese to “Be careful.” “My appeal to public servants [and] to teachers is a very simple appeal; trust the government. By the end of these five years, you will all be better off. Do not be played politically,” Dr. Ali added.

He also made specific reference to the Guyana Teachers’ Union, and the “ridiculous remarks” being made by the Union’s General-Secretary, Coretta McDonald, who is also a Member of Parliament for the opposition A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC).

DIRECT DISCUSSION
“I would not repeat them; I would not even engage in a discussion surrounding them, but I will engage in a discussion directly with the public servants and teachers,” the President said.

Speaking directly to Guyana’s public servants, President Ali said, “I will engage with you in a discussion so you understand where our country is heading; you would understand the opportunities of the future, and of course, you will be integrated in this new Guyana, filled with opportunities and improvement in your personal and family welfare.”

Shortly after the PPP/C government presented its $383.1 billion 2021 Budget in February, members of the APNU+AFC had complained that there was nothing in it for public servants. This received a stern rebuttal from Public Service Minister Sonia Parag, who pointed specifically to the section of the budget estimates which highlights an allocation of more than $10B for the ‘revision of wages and salaries.’ Contrary to the opposition’s complaints, Minister Parag assured that there was no need for public servants to worry, since provisions were made for salary increases. “There is an increase. There will be an increase in 2021 for all public servants,” Parag insisted.

She said too that while the salary increases are in line with the budget’s theme: “A Path to Recovery, Economic Dynamism and Resilience”, it is also a measure that is in keeping with the PPP/C’s manifesto promise to enhance the quality of life for all citizens.