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By Mark DaCosta-The Parliamentary Opposition, A Partnership of National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC), has made a bold commitment to public service workers, pledging a substantial 35 percent wage and salary increase should they assume office as the next government. This announcement comes amid escalating tensions over the People’s Progressive Party’s (PPP) handling of the economy, particularly regarding public sector wages, labour shortages, and claims of discriminatory practices.
In a scathing critique of the current administration, the Opposition accused the PPP of showing blatant disrespect and vindictiveness towards teachers by offering a mere 10 percent salary increase. The opposition parties argued that this offer is a far cry from the 50 percent increase the PPP once demanded when they were in opposition before the discovery of oil.
“This level of hypocrisy, disdain, and trickery by Bharrat Jagdeo and Irfaan Ali towards the hard-working teachers of our nation is unacceptable,” the Opposition declared. They further emphasised that the government’s allocation of GY$666 billion for infrastructure is a “smokescreen” hiding the administration’s unwillingness to fairly compensate educators.
The APNU+AFC has also levelled accusations of discrimination against the PPP, citing recent roadworks along the East Coast of Demerara. The opposition alleges that the construction of a four-lane road has been inconsistently executed, with measurements varying between villages.
According to residents, areas like LBI and Montrose — considered PPP strongholds — have seen reduced road widths to avoid relocating residents, while African-Guyanese villages such as Plaisance have been asked to accommodate the full forty feet from the road’s centre. “This is a clear case of PPP discrimination against African-Guyanese communities,” asserted the Opposition.
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has also come under fire for his recent comments on unemployment. At a press conference, Jagdeo dismissed concerns about unemployment, suggesting that “labour shortages” indicate that unemployment is not an issue. The opposition, however, labelled this assertion as “utter garbage,” criticising the government’s economic planning as unsound and lacking in substance.
The APNU+AFC noted that the Bureau of Statistics has not conducted its quarterly national labour force survey since November 2021, leaving the country without critical data on unemployment and underemployment. “Jagdeo’s government does not calculate unemployment figures but instead makes policy decisions based on guesswork,” the opposition claimed. They further criticised the administration for failing to address the high levels of youth unemployment and the low pass rates in crucial subjects like Mathematics, which are exacerbating structural unemployment in Guyana.
In contrast to the PPP’s approach, the APNU+AFC has outlined a series of measures they intend to implement if elected. These include restarting the quarterly labour force survey, investing in programmes aimed at skilling and reskilling Guyanese workers, and increasing female participation in the labour force by expanding daycare services nationwide. The opposition also plans to establish a comprehensive employment information network to better connect job seekers with opportunities, and they propose doubling investment in small and medium-sized enterprises to spur job creation.
“The PPP must be the only government in the world that does not plan and does not care to plan — and is proud to publicly admit it,” the opposition remarked, referencing President Ali’s statement in a January 2024 interview where he said, “we don’t have the time to have a plan.” Opposition concluded their statement by urging Guyanese to reject this “disrespect” at the ballot box in the upcoming 2025 elections.
As the political climate in Guyana heats up, the Opposition promises and criticisms set the stage for a contentious election campaign, with public service wages and economic management likely to be key battlegrounds.
