PNCR blasts PPP Govt miserly 10% payout to workers, demands end to absurd and selfish practice in oil-rich economy

The main parliamentary Opposition, People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) is blasting President Irfaan Ali’s “miserly” wages/salary increase announcements, suggesting it is a slap in the face of workers given Guyana’s wealth. Guyana is ranked among the world’s fastest growing economies and is the richest per capita, according to international reports.

Yesterday President Ali announced an across the board 10 percent increase to public servants. When compared to the president, vice president, prime minister and other ministers’ salary the actual dollar increase negligible, a situation that does not sit well with the PNCR who sought to make known a few comparisons, mentioned hereunder:

1. “The President whose salary is $2.9m tax free will receive a monthly salary increase of $290,000 which translates into a retroactive pay of $3,480, 000. Add that to his monthly salary, he will receive a pay package of $6,380,000.”
2. “His Ministers of Government, with a basic salary currently at $1,070,000 will get $107,000 a month, retroactive to January 1, 2024, which is an astounding $1,284,000. PPP ministers and super salaried family, friends and favourites will therefore receive a pay cheque for December of $2,354,000!”
3. “On the other hand, a level 1 public servant will receive a tiny increase of $10,000 per month, or $120,000 retroactive to January 1, 2024. What this means is that the PPP elite, their families, friends and favourites will be paid in one month just $13.00 short of what the average worker will be paid for the full year.”

The PNCR called the disparity in pay “highway robbery,” even more so that public servants’ income remains relatively small and is taxable whilst the president and his ministers’ pay gap is widening and their income is non-taxable.

The Opposition is demanding the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) “end this absurd and selfish practice of giving large increases to themselves while giving a pittance to workers.”

Drawing comparison between the former coalition government (A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change) of which the PNCR was the main partner and the PPP, the party reminds that during its term in office larger increases were given to those at the lower levels of income, who need the funds the most.

Figures will show public servants received 77% pay increase over the four year period under the APNU+AFC government. Guyana was not then producing oil.

The PNC also makes known that the PPP’s approach to pay increase for ordinary public servants is a clear indication that oil resources are not meeting the people of Guyana.

“Once again, the PPP makes it obvious that there is no end to its stinginess when it comes to delivering resources to the people. Rather than reward public servants for their dedication and long hours of toil, rather than share the nation’s wealth, miserly salary increases continue to be the norm. The government is fond of saying that it is trying to be fiscally responsible, but when presented with a 21.8% increase in income tax revenues in the first half of the year, as reported by the Bank of Guyana, it announces a measly 10% to our public servants,” the Party declares.

Noting that the pay increase has shattered expectations, the party points out that those who were eagerly awaiting a substantial increase now sit in pessimism and frustration.

If Guyana is a land of prosperity, as the government tries to remind daily, the Party questioned why low level public servants are receiving insignificant increases.. The party promised to change the situation on its return to government, promising a 35 per cent increase in its first year, followed by negotiations with unions for further large increases.

According to the PNCR, its proposal is not in response to the PPP’s increase but out of genuine belief Guyana’s wealth should benefit public servants and a well- incentivised public service will be a pillar of the country’s growth and development.

Going further, the PNCR says it is important to note in the context of persistent inflation in Guyana, with prices rising at greater than three (3) per cent this year, if the government’s own statistics are to be believed, which the party doubted. Any Guyanese can tell you how quickly prices continue to rise at the market, the party points out, noting that a 10 per cent increase, given this daily struggle, is next to nothing.

Drawing attention to the economic disparity, the Party says in the oil-rich economy only the PPP elite, their families, friends, and favourites believe there is no cost-of-living crisis.

“The PPP’s leadership has made up its mind that only a chosen few will receive help from Guyana’s wealth. As a result, so long as the PPP is in office, no matter how bright Guyana’s finances, the Christmas season will remain dark, inclusive of the ongoing blackouts. We will bring light, hope and optimism back when we take office in 2025.”

Read the full statement below.

IRFAAN ALI IS ANTI WORKING CLASS- HE IS GIVING LARGE SUMS OF MONEY TO THE RICH AND A PITTANCE TO THE POOR

When the APNU paid wage increases, it gave less to the wealthy and more to the working poor.

Let us address what is being paid by the Irfaan Ali regime. By announcing across the board salary increases he is privileging himself, Ministers and other super salaried PPP family, friends, and favourites over lower income public servants who need it more.

The President whose salary is $2.9m tax free will receive a monthly salary increase of $290,000 which translates into a retroactive pay of $3,480, 000. Add that to his monthly salary, he will receive a pay package of $6,380,000. What this means is that the President in one month will get more than two times the money that public servants will get for the entire year. Clearly, he is enriching himself at the expense of the poor in Guyana.

His Ministers of Government, with a basic salary currently at $1,070,000 will get $107,000 a month, retroactive to January 1, 2024, which is an astounding $1,284,000. PPP ministers and super salaried family, friends and favourites will therefore receive a pay cheque for December of $2,354,000! On the other hand, a level 1 public servant will receive a tiny increase of $10,000 per month, or $120,000 retroactive to January 1, 2024. What this means is that the PPP elite their families, friends and favourites will be paid in one month just $13.00 short of what the average worker will be paid for the full year. This is highway robbery.

We call on the PPP to end this absurd and selfish practice of giving large increases to themselves while giving a pittance to workers. During the APNU term in office, larger increases were given to those at the lower levels of income, who need the funds the most. The PPP’s approach is a clear indication that oil resources are not meeting the people of Guyana.

Once again, the PPP makes it obvious that there is no end to its stinginess when it comes to delivering resources to the people. Rather than reward public servants for their dedication and long hours of toil, rather than share the nation’s wealth, miserly salary increases continue to be the norm. The government is fond of saying that it is trying to be fiscally responsible, but when presented with a 21.8% increase in

income tax revenues in the first half of the year, as reported by the Bank of Guyana, it announces a measly 10% to our public servants. Those who were eagerly awaiting a substantial increase now sit in pessimism and frustration.

If Guyana is a land of prosperity, as the government tries to remind us daily, why cannot give low level public servants such insignificant increase. We reiterate that in our first year we will provide a 35% graduated salary increase to public servants, followed by negotiations with unions for further large increases. We say this not because we are simply looking to respond to the PPP’s increases, but because we genuinely believe that our nation’s wealth should benefit public servants and because we believe a well- incentivized public service will be a pillar of Guyana’s growth and development.

It is important also to note that this increase must be seen in the context of persistent inflation in Guyana, with prices rising at greater than 3% this year if the government’s own statistics are to be believed. We continue to doubt the veracity of these statistics, as well as their appropriateness, as any Guyanese can tell you how quickly prices continue to rise at the market.

A 10% increase, given this daily struggle, is next to nothing. Only the PPP elite, their families, friends, and favourites believe there is no cost-of-living crisis. The PPP’s leadership has made up its mind that only a chosen few will receive help from Guyana’s wealth. As a result, so long as the PPP is in office, no matter how bright Guyana’s finances, the Christmas season will remain dark, inclusive of the ongoing blackouts. We will bring light, hope and optimism back when we take office in 2025.