The Government of Guyana and the Guyana Public Service Union have inked a two-year agreement that will see an across the board salary increase of 10% for public servants for this year, along with an 8% salary increase for next year.

The agreement was signed this morning between the Government and the Union following the announcement of the increases by President Irfaan Ali.

In a joint statement, the Government and the GPSU said the agreement was reached after extensive discussions and negotiations.

In addition to the salary increases, the agreement also covers adjustments to the salaries of some public servants as well as the introduction of qualification allowances.

For nurses, the Government has agreed to grant 100 duty-free concessions per annum for nursing staff from the position of staff nurse and above, with priority given to persons with the longest years of service and those who have never benefited from a duty-free concession. The duty free allowance will take effect from January 1, 2025.

Additionally, the Government has agreed to award 100 scholarships annually to GPSU members to pursue undergraduate and post-graduate studies at the University of Guyana or at universities through Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), effective 1 January 2025.

The Government said the agreement reflects the continued strong commitment of the Government to improving the terms and conditions of the working people of Guyana. 

The two sides reiterated their shared commitment to continued engagement in areas of mutual interest to further advance worker well-being.

The discussions with the GPSU were overseen on the Government’s behalf by Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr. Ashni Singh, who expressed his strong appreciation of the tone in which the discussions with the Union were held and of the diligence displayed by the GPSU team.

First Vice-President of the GPSU, Dawn Gardener who led the GPSU team in the discussions, also expressed the GPSU’s appreciation of the effort made by the GoG team and voiced the view that this agreement augurs well for a new era in industrial relations in the public service. Ms. Gardener also used the opportunity to recognize her own team’s dedication and effort towards the completion of this agreement.

President Ali welcomed the conclusion of this agreement and observed that it represents the first agreement concluded by the GPSU with any Government in recent memory.

The President reiterated his Government’s commitment to ensuring that the lives of all Guyanese are improved steadily, and in a tangible manner.

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