The Government has finally acceded to pressure from trade unions and civil society to raise the National Minimum Wage to $60,000. This will take effect from July 1st. The Order, which has been gazette, will see private sector employees receiving $60,147 per month.
The $60,000 increase was first approved in 2018 by the Tripartite Committee (representatives of Government, Labour and Employer) under Minister Keith Scott, during the A Partnership For National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government. Village Voice understands the implementation was frustrated by efforts from sections of the private sector.
When the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) entered government in August 2020 President Ali subsequently announced the approved $60,000 will not be implemented immediately, acquiescing to a request from the private sector. In January 2022 a Committee, set up under the PPP/C government, reinforced the payment of the $60,000.
Veteran trade unionist and General Secretary, Guyana Trades Union Congress, Lincoln Lewis, in an earlier interview with Village Voice said in the public sector the majority of workers who stand to benefit from the increase are some employed by the Guyana Sugar Corporation.
The last change in the National Minimum Wage was five years ago from $34,500 to $ 44,200.
