The Opposition, A Partnership of National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), slams the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government “ridiculous 6.5% increase in the 2023 pay for public servants.” According to the Opposition, in a statement issued Saturday, any government with a modicum of decency and sensibility should be ashamed to make such an offer, but not the PPP.
The PPP sees political gain and virtue in keeping workers and citizens poor and dependent, and the pitiful 6.5% is so small that it represents less than 1% of the current $782 billion government budget, the APNU+AFC notes. “To add insult to injury, the members of our Disciplined Services will only receive a token one-off bonus, despite the escalating threat to our territorial integrity and sovereignty.” This is the extent to which the PPP values the protection of our homeland and the welfare of Guyanese, the Opposition points out.
“Shamefully, this increase is below this year’s rate of inflation and inadequate to help citizens handle the already high and escalating cost of living. Subjectively and objectively, public servants are worse off now than they were under the APNU+AFC Coalition government. Citizens are less capable of making ends meet. They can buy less food and fewer goods. They can save less. They are less confident and more hopeless. They have less money to spend on Christmas.”
This year, Guyana’s national budget and economy stand at nearly triple the 2019 level. “Many Guyanese keep asking, where is the oil money going, as it certainly isn’t reaching ordinary citizens. Many have already concluded that if the PPP can’t give public servants substantial salary increases now, it never will,” the Opposition noted.
The Opposition reminds Guyanese that without oil revenues, and in only a few years, the Coalition government gave public servants a 77% pay increase! This reflects the highest increase in minimum wage in Guyana’s history. Guyana’s Natural Resource Fund (NRF) is anticipated to exceed US$2 billion by the end of 2023.
The opposition says should they form the next government, all Guyanese workers and households a living wage as part of guaranteeing all households a livable income. “Guyana cannot lift the quality of life of citizens if its public servants have to flee its shores for respect and betterment. We cannot educate our children, keep our streets safe, deliver quality healthcare to our citizens, and service economic activity without a motivated and well-compensated public service.”
Pointing out the nation’s natural endowment belongs to all citizens; the opposition says a next coalition government will ensure public servants share in the benefits of the country’s economic growth and oil wealth. “We will make Guyana one of the best countries for workers and public servants to live in.”
