GPSU hammers Government over "uncaring" 6.5% salary increase

The Guyana Public Service Union is not happy with the recently announced 6.5% salary increase for public servants.

The union said the increase was unilateral since there was no negotiation on it. The GPSU in a statement said the increase is insensitive, uncaring, and represents a blatant disregard for the collective bargaining process.

The union noted that the increase is coming at a time when the country is set to record a growth rate of 38.2% this year.

The union reminded that last year, the country recorded a 62.3% growth rate and the Government imposed an 8% increase. The union also noted that in 2021, the increase was also very small even as the country recorded the biggest growth rate globally.

Year	GDP Growth	Salary Increase
2020	43.5%	0%
2021	20.1%	7%
2022	62.3%	8%
2023	38.4%	6.5%

The GPSU complained that there has been a significant disparity in Government’s distribution of the country’s wealth, noting that over $209 billion was drawn down from the Natural Resources Fund already for this year. It said only 3.78% of that money is going towards salary increases for the nation’s public servants.

The GPSU said the Government continues to violate the collective bargaining process by not engaging the unions.

It said the minimum wage in the public service is being increased by less than $5,000 per month and noted that while sugar workers received cash grants of $250,000, public servants have to settle for a $25,000 cash grant.

The Guyana Public Service Union said it continues to be very responsible in its dealing with the government, and its restraint thus far, provides an opportunity for the Government of Guyana to correct its abuse of public servants.