Minimum wage for Joint Services increased to $130,000

On the heels of members of the Joint Services receiving a 10% salary increase, one month’s salary as a bonus and the $100,000 cash grant for citizens, President Irfaan Ali today announced that that the minimum wage for the Joint Services has now been increased to $130,000 per month. He said the move will bring equity and uniformity in the salary structure of Joint services ranks.

The minimum wage in the public sector currently stands at $100,000.

Speaking at an event at the headquarters of the Guyana Fire Service today, the President noted that although his Government has moved to increase and adjust the salaries of ranks, some disparities have been uncovered. He said the Minister responsible for Finance was tasked with immediately addressing the issue.

“And we had those adjustments for the ranks of our joint services and in those adjustments there were some anomalies that had to be addressed, one of it, is the difference in basic salary of ranks at the lowest level, the level of Constable, it was $130,000 in some agencies and it was $105,000-$110,000 in some agency, so I have spoken to the Minister of Finance and I have asked that he ensure that every rank in the joint services, at the level of constable be paid $130,000” the President announced today.

The move is set to benefit mostly Constables who were earning between GY$105,000 and $110,000 and it has set a new minimum wage for the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Fire Service and Guyana Prison Service.

The President said the move reflects the Government’s commitment to making life of ranks easier. He said he is looking forward to more hard work and dedication from the Joint Services in return.

“So, this will bring consistency, so you will have constable in the Police Force and the Joint services as well as Privates who were at $105,000 and $110,000, they will be adjusted to $130,000 so that we have equity across the scale. So, we have your best interest at heart because we ask of your best and for you to give your best to your country and the country will invest the best in you”, the President stated.

The President has repeatedly stated his position to improve the lives of members of the Joint Services. He said a number of initiatives have been put in place since he took office to support them on the job and also in their personal lives.