–President Ali says, highlights higher wages, pensions and expanded social services as key achievements
— commits to raising tax-free income threshold to $200,000 in boost for workers

PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali, on Tuesday, reaffirmed that the income tax threshold will be increased to $200,000 before the end of the government’s current term, describing the measure as part of a broader effort to improve the lives of working-class Guyanese.
Addressing the Enmore Martyrs Commemoration Ceremony, the President said the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration has consistently worked to raise the standard of living for workers through higher wages, expanded social services and increased opportunities.
“We said that before the end of this term, that new base will be $200,000 upon which our workers will stand, $200,000 tax free,” President Ali told the gathering.
Drawing parallels between the struggles of the Enmore Martyrs and the challenges faced by workers in more recent years, the President said successive PPP/C governments have sought to address longstanding issues affecting ordinary citizens.
He noted that while workers fought for dignity, recognition and better conditions 78 years ago, more recent struggles have centred on job security, improved salaries, pensions and access to essential services.
According to President Ali, the government has delivered on promises to raise the income tax threshold, increase salaries, improve pensions and expand investments in infrastructure, healthcare and education.
“The struggle was for a higher threshold, we delivered. The struggle was for higher salaries, we delivered. The struggle was for better pension, we delivered. The struggle was for better infrastructure, we delivered,” he said.
The Head of State also highlighted a range of social programmes which he said have transformed opportunities for working families.
He pointed to the government’s policy of providing free tertiary education, noting that the children of workers now have access to university degrees, master’s programmes and doctoral studies without tuition costs.
“The new base is that every single child of the worker can now have a degree, a master or a PhD free of cost,” he stated.
President Ali further outlined ongoing investments in the health sector, including plans to provide comprehensive cancer treatment services locally and expand access to specialised medical care.
“The new base is that you will be able to get all the services for cancer right here in this country because our government will invest in it,” he said.
He added that Guyanese are also benefitting from free cardiology services, diabetic care, surgeries, maternal healthcare and other medical services as the government works to strengthen the country’s healthcare system.
Earlier this year, the Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, successfully piloted the Fiscal Enactments (Amendment) Bill 2026 through the National Assembly.
The Bill gave legislative effect to key policy interventions announced in Budget 2026, which set the stage for increased disposable income, reduced living costs and expanded incentives for productive sectors.
That legislation removed the net property tax on individuals, which the government estimates will increase disposable income by more than $1.4 billion, and raise the monthly income tax threshold from $130,000 to $140,000. This adjustment is expected to remove 5,000 persons from the tax net and inject over $2 billion in additional disposable income into the workforce.