Pres Ali announces pay increase for health workers, continues to disregard collective bargaining

President Irfaan Ali Tuesday announced a pay increase for health workers flouting the constitutional right to collective bargaining. Article 147 of the Constitution of Guyana protects the right to collective bargaining for workers represented by a trade union, in this instance, the Guyana Public Service Union. Earlier this year the Union approached the court to order the Government to respect the right but the court is yet to rule.

As per the president’s announcement, additional adjustment to salaries effective from 1^st January 2023, will accordingly reflect:

DOCTORS

• Medical Interns will now have their current minimum salary adjusted upwards from $151,374 to $200,000. This represents an additional 32.1 percent increase on the current minimum salary paid to a Medical Intern.
• Medical Officers, whether employed at the GPHC or elsewhere, will now have their current minimum salary adjusted upwards from $219,878 to $300,000. This represents an additional 36.4 percent increase on the current minimum salary paid to a Medical Officer.
• Medical Officers who have completed one year of post-employment experience (for example, a second year GMO) will now have their current minimum salary adjusted to $351,204 in line with the current practice at the GPHC.
• Medical Officers who have completed two years of post-employment experience (example, a third year GMO) will now have their current minimum salary adjusted to $414,032 in line with the current practice at the GPHC.
• Medical Officers who have completed three years of post-employment experience (example., a fourth-year GMO) will now have their current minimum salary adjusted to $446,160 in line with the current practice at the GPHC.
• Specialist Doctors (e.g. obstetricians and gynaecologists, neurosurgeons, dermatologists, orthopedic surgeons, etc.) will now have their minimum salaries adjusted upwards of $276,536 to $450,000. This represents an additional increase of 62.7 percent on the current minimum salaries.

NURSES

• For our Nurse Aides and Patient Care Assistants will now have their current minimum salary adjusted upwards from $80,892 to $100,000. This represents an additional 23.6 percent increase on the current minimum salary paid to each worker.
• Nursing Assistants will now have their current minimum salary adjusted upwards from $88,525 to $115,000. This represents an additional 29.9 percent increase on the current minimum salary paid to a Nursing Assistant.
• Midwives will now have their current minimum salary adjusted upwards from $96,974 to $169,438. This represents an additional 74.7 percent increase on the current minimum salary paid to a Midwife.
• Staff Nurses will now have their current minimum salary adjusted upwards from $111,628 to $169,438. This represents an additional 51.8 percent increase on the current minimum salary paid to a Staff Nurse.
• Staff Nurses/Midwives will now have their current minimum salary adjusted upwards from $127,963 to $195,000. This represents an additional 52.4 percent increase on the current minimum salary paid to a Staff Nurse/Midwife.

ALLIED HEALTH WORKERS

• Pharmacy Assistants will now all have their current minimum salary adjusted upwards from $84,662 to $100,000. This represents as much as an additional 18.1 percent increase on the current minimum salary paid to these workers.
• Dental Aides and (Laboratory) Aides will now all have their current minimum salary adjusted upwards from as low as $80,892 to $100,000. This represents as much as an additional 23.6 percent increase on the current minimum salary paid to these workers.
• Community Health Workers will now have their current minimum salary adjusted upwards from $88,525 to $100,000. This represents an additional 13 percent increase on the current minimum salary.
• Medex will now have their current minimum salary adjusted upwards from $152,420 to $200,000. This represents an additional 31.2 percent increase on the current minimum salary.
• Pharmacists will now have their current minimum salary adjusted from $127,963 to $215,000. This represents a 68% increase on their current minimum salary.