The main opposition party, A Partnership for National Unity(APNU) has lambasted the Ramotar government for once again imposing a small salary increase for public servants while dodging any negotiation with the Guyana Public Service Union.
In a Sunday statement, the APNU said it “condemns the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic administration’s arbitrary imposition of another paltry ‘freck’ on public servants’ salaries.” The party is demanding that the PPPC government enters into “sincere and serious negotiations aimed at paying reasonable and meaningful increases, wages and salaries to Public Service employees.”
The APNU said the PPP must respect the collective bargaining agreement and the rights of public servants and their Union. It added that the ‘annual’ arbitrary imposition of a small increase in wages and salaries for public employees “is a clear example of the PPP/C administration’s arrogance and its abandonment of any pretense at collective bargaining.”
“APNU calls for an immediate review of the conditions under which public servants work and the payment of “a living wage” to public servants. Workers at the lowest levels – who comprise over 75 per cent of the Public Service – will see their salaries increase by less than $2,500 per month with the proposed 5 per cent increase. Public servants are frequently unable to afford to meet some basic household expenses, utilities and transportation and often are forced to borrow money for emergencies and to settle day-to-day expenses. They are convinced that they deserve a higher increase, particularly in light of the high cost of living”, the party statement said.
The APNU wants the PPPC administration to invite the GPSU immediately to engage in talks aimed at restarting the collective bargaining process and restoring normalcy and averting a crisis in Guyana’s Public Service.
Opposition Leader David Granger has consistently criticised the government for its imposition of the “small increases” and not providing public servants with a livable wage. He has said that an APNU government would ensure the public servants of Guyana are paid better and receive a salary that they could live on comfortably.
The Office of the President on Saturday announced that over 20,000 Public Servants and Members of the Disciplined Forces have been granted wages and salaries increases for 2014 ranging from 5% to 8% of their wages and salaries as of December 31, 2013, retroactive to January 1, 2014.
According to the release, Public Servants and Members of the Disciplined Forces earning above $50,000 monthly wages and salaries as of December 31, 2014 will be granted an across the board increase of 5%, while those earning less than $50,000 monthly as at December 31, 2013 would be receiving 8% across the board increase, retroactive to January 1, 2014.
“In addition, teachers earning less than $50,000 monthly as at December 31, 2013 are being granted an additional 3% across the board increase, on top of the 5% increase already paid to them in keeping with the multi-year agreement concluded with their Union, bringing their total increase to 8%, retroactive to January 1, 2014″ the release said.
Filed: 30th November, 2014
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