Bonus for healthcare workers – President Ali announces

All healthcare workers will receive a bonus equivalent to two weeks of their salary by the end of the year.

The announcement was made by President Irfaan Ali on Thursday afternoon during his address at a ceremony to commence the retrofitting of the Leonora Diagnostic Hospital on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD) into a ‘SMART’ hospital.

“Every healthcare professional will benefit from a two-week equivalent two weeks bonus pay before the end of the year as part of the response to the pandemic,” the President said.

The Head-of-State said all healthcare workers will be classified as ‘frontline workers’ – a title which is only given to those who work directly with COVID-19 cases and patients suspected of having the disease.

Dr Ali alluded to the protest by healthcare workers in October, who had demanded better pay and risk allowance. During those protest actions, the workers also urged for the risk allowance, which is paid only to those who work with COVID-19 patients, to be paid to all health professionals.

“While you have this direct bonus that will come to you, you are also included in the $25,000 household grant, you are also included in the school uniforms voucher…this country will only get better and better,” President Ali said.

The President also disclosed that over $1B will be allocated in the 2021 national budget to upgrade the West Demerara Regional Hospital.

Earlier in the day, Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh announced that the government is currently preparing its 2021 budget.