Imagine, 20 days remaining in the month of December 2023, the Ali regime has laid in the National Assembly, on Monday, December 11, 2023, Supplementary Papers, seeking an additional $24B for 2023. I have taken the liberty in sharing the Supplementary Papers 4 and 5 respectively, for my readers attention.
I am sharing my response in August 2023, carried by Kaieteur News:
In a quick reaction to the request by the government Shadow Housing and Water Minister, Annette Ferguson said on August 9, 2023, the Assembly will go into recess, until October 10, 2023. “This morning (Thursday) when I turned up, myself and colleagues were greeted with documents, including a Supplementary Paper,” Ferguson added. “Mind you this is the third Supplemental Paper for the year 2023; 3/2023, where the PPPC regime is seeking to get a total sum of $61,013,184,705 in addition to what the National Assembly approved in February 2023 for Budget of $781.9B with a further $26B approved by the National Assembly from the Low Carbon Credits for Infrastructural projects.” Ferguson, a former Housing and Water Minister said it will now be $874B from February to August 2023.
It should be noted that Budget 2023, at December 12, 2023 has seen an approval of $873.9 billion. With the additional $24B, it will now move to $897.9B.
Let me state from the outset that I am no racist, but one who believes in fairness, Justice and truth. Let it be known that I am for ALL Guyanese, and NOT a fraction!
Last Friday, December 8, 2023, the regime through Dr. Ashni Singh announced a 6.5% increase in taxable salaries across the board. With this announcement, Nurses, Teachers, Public Servants, other categories of workers, including the Ministers of Government and GUYSCO workers will also benefit from this increase. What is egregious of the government actions, is that GUYSCO will be enjoying an additional $2B from the Supplementary Provisions, when the National Assembly meets on Thursday, December 14, 2023, to consider these figures.
Additionally, GUYSCO has been enjoying lavishly and eating into the National treasury, rather than contributing to the National Treasury, like ALL the other sectors. How fair can this be, to the hardworking teachers, nurses, servicemen and Public Servants? I will ask this bold question publicly, is it because these professions are predominantly made up of “Afro Guyanese?” The PPP/C regime must respond to this question.
GUYSCO, over the last three years, has thus far received in excess of $20B, since the return of the PPP/C to government, despite its abysmal FAILURES, the PPP/C continues to pump “good money into a bad industry.”
While the union representing the sugar workers and continues to agitate and advocate for better working conditions and increase in salaries for workers, the same can be said for the Guyana Teacher’s Union, who have been vehement in their call. Well, the same cannot be said for Mr. Patrick Yarde, who has been heading the Guyana Public Service for some three decades.
With the recent announcement of 6.5% salary increase, I am yet to hear from the voice or voices of the Guyana Public Service Union. I believe the TIME has come for workers who continue to pay their monthly dues, to call out Mr. Yarde and demand that he accounts for his stewardship, or request that the baton passed on to another, who has the interest of the workers at heart and will stand against the government, when it comes to workers rights, victimisation and discrimination of workers.
Therefore, I will end by asking another question, to the Ali regime, aren’t Public Servants, Nurses, Teachers, etc equal and deserving of the same measuring stick, as GUYSCO workers?
I look forward to hearing from the competent authority!
I’m disgusted at the unfair treatment of our Public Servants. 6.5% is peanuts and it cannot assist in filling excess needs.
6.5% cannot work!
Let me provide a breakdown to show how unfair this regime is to ordinary Guyanese.
Using the current minimum salary of a Public Servant vs a Junior Minister’s Salary:
- PUBLIC SERVANT
Current salary is $80,000.00
6.5% of $80,000.00 = $5,200.00
$5,200.00*12 months =$62,000.00 retroactive. Therefore, PAYE will be calculated on the $62,000.00.
CURRENTLY, the salary is $80,000.00. When calculated with 6.5%, the new salary from January 1, 2024 will be $85,200.00.
- JUNIOR MINISTER SALARY. Let it be known that as at August 2, 2020, the salary was $695,000.00.
CURRENTLY, the salary is $803,000.00. When calculated with 6.5%, the new salary from January 1, 2024 will be $856,012.00.
However, let me provide the retroactive amount from January 2023.
6.5% of $803,000.00 = $52,195.00*12 months = $626,340.00. However, PAYE will be applied.
WHERE WE OIL MONEY GOING?
Therefore, the disparity continues.
