PPP says workers got better deal under its rule

The main opposition, People Progressive Party (PPP) is insisting that public servants got a much better deal in relation to increases in wages and salaries during that party’s tenure in office.

The Government of Guyana and the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) on Wednesday, August 24, 2016, concluded discussions on Wages and Salaries for Public Servants within the Bargaining Unit for 2016. The government has made a final offer of which it outlined a 1-10% increase in wages and salaries for different tiers of workers.

During a Press Conference on Monday, General Secretary of the PPP, Clement Rohee, was asked about the foundation of the party’s concerns about the proposed increases given that during the party’s time in office increases were in the neighbourhood of what is now being offered.

Rohee said he believes concessions previously granted by the government complimented the annual salary increases.

“That five percent that was granted from time to time was done after a whole range of negotiation and you must recall also we must see the increases that was granted by the PPP/C government administration together with a whole host of other concessions granted; duty free concessions for motor vehicles, land, house lots and thing like that, easy loans, the because we car program…that were granted to workers in order to cushion whatever…I think it was a much better deal that they got under the PPP” Rohee said.

He further predicted that the GPSU will accept the Government’s final proposal, offering a “lame excuse” in the process.

“Knowing the track record of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), it will mostly likely go along with the government’s “final offer” on the basis of some lame excuse. This will be tantamount to another betrayal of the workers’ interest” Rohee said.

He believes the onus is now on the union to come clean and explain to the members the true state of affairs on the negotiations and how the final offer was arrived at.

The Party General secretary also believes the government must provide answers in of earlier promises.

“This is another blow to government workers and it comes as a stark reminder of the humongous increase in salaries by fifty (50) percent to Cabinet Ministers” Rohee said.

The union has since indicated also via press release that it would be considering this final offer from the administration and give a response by the end of this week.

The government has made a final offer of which it outlined as a 10% increase for persons earning below $99,000 per month, a 6% increase for persons earning $100,000 – $299,000 per month, 5% for those earning $300,000 – $499,000, 4% for persons earning $500,000 – $799,000, 2% for those earning $800,000 – $999,000 and a 1% increase for public servants earning above $1,000,000 per month.