PSU lambastes Gov’t arbitrary, insensitive and unimpressive salary announcement

The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU has condemned the arbitrary, insensitive and unimpressive announcement delivered by President Ali on his facebook page November 9, 2023 regarding what he termed as relief for workers and pensioners of this country. This relief the union said is blatant eye pass and insult to workers and pensioners in light of the astronomical increases in the cost of living.

The Union is also reminding the Government of Guyana, as the largest employer, that the Laws of Guyana must be respected in its entirety to the effect that collective bargaining with workers representatives must be enforced before such announcements are made.  PSU noted as the largest employer in the country, with the responsibility of guiding the enactment of laws in the legislature the Government should seek to set an example for other employers rather than its current posture.

The full statement follows:-

Guyana Public Service Union

               The arbitrary announcement delivered by President Ali November 9, 2023 on workers relief.

The Guyana Public Service Union was made aware of the arbitrary, insensitive and unimpressive announcement delivered by President Ali on his facebook page November 9, 2023 regarding what he termed as relief for workers and pensioners of this country. This relief is viewed as blatant eye pass and insult to workers and pensioners in light of the astronomical increases in the cost of living.

The President also stated that he will make an announcement shortly with respect to increases in wages and salaries for all categories of workers. The GPSU strongly condemns these arbitrary impositions, which are in conflict with the President’s obligations with his oath of office to respect and uphold the Constitution and Laws of Guyana. These and any other future impositions amounts to the abuse of workers’ rights to collective bargaining, which is evidence of the President’s high handed approach, together with his continued focus on upholding bad governance as had always been his government’s hallmark, compounded with a deliberate policy of keeping workers vulnerable and at a level of poverty.

It would seem, therefore, that the President is oblivious to the dire consequences that his methodologies, in this regard, would have for workers and peoples of this country. These continued violations impugns workers’ rights and is disastrous to their quality of life and the livelihood of their families.

The GPSU is therefore calling on all workers to be steadfast and in a state of readiness to confront these Constitutional abuses. In the prevailing circumstances, workers should view all payments made based on the President’s proclamation as advances on merited labour debt due and payable to them.

The Union is also reminding the Government of Guyana, as the largest employer, that the Laws of Guyana must be respected in its entirety to the effect that collective bargaining with workers representatives must be enforced before such announcements are made.  As the largest employer in the Country with the responsibility of guiding the enactment of laws in the Legislature the Government should seek to set an example for other employers rather than its current posture.