The undermentioned represents Part II of the proposal the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) presented to the Government of Guyana for consideration in the 2024 National Budget:-
. Uniform Allowances for Public Servants.
Over 25% of the Public Servant’s meagre annual salary is used for the procurement of working clothes. The Union calls on the MOF to subsidize this clothing bill by making substantial provisions in the 2024 National Budget for clothing allowance for all Public Servants. This allowance will also lead to uniformity in the workplace.
5. Insurance for Government Employees
(I). A non-contributory Health Insurance Policy should be funded for Public Servants and their immediate families.
(II). A non-contributory Life Insurance Policy for Public Officers, who travel extensively to perform duties under extreme conditions, eg. traverse interior trails, waterways, live under camp conditions, exposed to many dangers seen and unseen or travelling in uninsured Government vehicles. The Union is calling on the GOG to set up a committee (GPSU/PSM/MOF) to urgently address these concerns.
6. Superannuation Benefits
Retirees having made sterling contributions to the development of Guyana, many of whom today continued to live in abject poverty. Many of these retirees are forced to seek employment in the security sector after retirement since their monthly pensions are grossly inadequate.
The Union is therefore proposing that a review of the monthly pension be done without delay and the Pension Act be amended to include the review. On the other hand, it is important for the GOG to make the necessary provisions in the 2024 National Budget for realistic increases monthly pensions payable to retirees. Additionally, the Union strongly supports an amendment to the National Insurance Scheme Act.
The Union is proposing that persons who resign from employment receive gratuity for those years of service exceeding five years, and a pension and gratuity after 10 years.
7. Housing
Land complete with necessary infrastructure throughout the ten Administrative Regions should be made available for housing projects for Public Servants, particularly those in the low and middle-income groups.
Additionally, the cost for these house lots should be subsidized for Public Servants, based on their salaries and years of service. Special emphases should be given to the country’s heroes, the Health Care Workers, who provided quality Health Care throughout the pandemic. It is observed that a number of these workers are migrating, in order to earn a better income to support their families. The Union strongly supports that house lots and building materials at subsidized rates be provided for this category of workers. This assistance will assist in the retention of their services in the provision of quality health care to the nation.
Accommodation for Public Servants working away from home
In order to motivate and support Public Servants, who are appointed or transferred to perform duties away from their homes, provisions of adequate and comfortable accommodation should be made. It is noted that Officers are appointed or transferred away from their respective homes without any proper system in place for their accommodation at new locations. These ad hoc decisions force officers to live in hardship by having to travel daily without any financial assistance, whilst maintaining two homes.
The Union is therefore suggesting that proper systems be put in place to remove such hardships from Officers appointed or transferred to new locations.
8. Critchlow Labour College (CLC)
The Union is representing that substantial funds be made available in the 2024 National Budget as a subvention for Critchlow Labour College, which will assist in the liquidation of all existing liabilities and adequately meet all expenses for the effective administration and functioning of the College in 2024 and onwards.
9. Guyana Public Service Union
I. The GPSU is celebrating its Centennial Anniversary during this budgetary cycle. It is the expectation of Public Servants for the Government of Guyana to get involved in providing recreational facilities for related public servants activities throughout the country. This could be financed and regulated in a similar fashion as the Government has financed and regulated the upgrade and managing of cricket grounds in the 10 Administrative Regions. Alternatively, a head could be created in the Estimates of Expenditure 2024 for “Recreational Facilities for Public Servants” and provisions made for funding the development of games facilities, its operations, maintenance, security, transportation, staffing, electricity, telephone, internet, other overhead expenditure, etc. The Government SHOULD also honour the outstanding agreements between the Government of Guyana and the GPSU for the rehabilitation, operations, maintenance and staffing of the GPSU Sports Complex. Please see copy of Agreement attached.
ii. That at least one hundred (100) government scholarships be allocated to public service workers annually on the recommendation of the GPSU for the University of Guyana. Scholarships should include the cost of tuition, transportation, books, equipment, such as, computers, other necessary materials and related costs that are intended for the programmes.
iii. That at least twenty (20) Postgraduate scholarships be allocated to public service workers annually on the recommendation of the GPSU. Scholarships should include airfare and required boarding and lodging, tuition fees, books, other necessary materials and miscellaneous expenses.
iv. That Government provides the GPSU with a subvention for educational activities and its Industrial Relations and Personnel Management Diploma Programme, to cover the cost of lecture fees, materials and related expenditure. This would contribute to human resources development in the public service and facilitate training and orientation for public service workers.
v. That Government, in collaboration with the GPSU, should establish child-care centers for the children of public officers in all Regions and the City of Georgetown.
vi. Provisions in the form of a subvention to the Guyana Public Service Union for entrepreneurship training for public officers and pilot projects in economic ventures, such as:
(a) Agricultural and Poultry Farms;
(b) Art and Craft Production;
(c) Furniture and Manufacturing etc.
(d) Construction of Houses;
(e) Transportation and Maintenance of vehicles;
(f) Communication and Corporate Transport; and
(g) Information Technology/Electronic Document Preparation Management.
vii. A subvention of G$10,000,000 to fund Trade Union Education programmes throughout the country.
10. Recommendations specific to individual Government Agencies
