Hundreds of public servants, who were placed on the breadline during the course of 2021, will not benefit from the 7% ‘retroactive’ payment intended for workers this year, according to a circular issued by the Ministry of Finance.
“The Government has approved a 7 percent across-the-board salary increase for all public servants, including teachers. This increase is retroactive to January 1, 2021 and is payable to workers who are employed as at the December 2021 payroll,” a section of the circular, dated November 19, 2021, stated.
Though the increase is ‘retroactive’ to January 1, 2021, public servants who would have labored throughout the year but retired, resigned or had their services terminated would not benefit.
According to personnel within the public service, this recent move by the Government contradicts the usual practice of issuing retroactive payments.
The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) and the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) together with the main opposition party – the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) – have all condemned the 7% across the board taxable increase as meager, however, the Government remains unbothered.
In fact, President Irfaan Ali, in an addressed to the nation on November 26, accused the trade unions of being driven by “political operatives.”
