With the Opposition accusing the Government of not making provisions in Budget 2022 for salary increases for public servants, the Minister of Public Service, Sonia Parag, has fired back and has indicated that money will always be included in the annual budget to cater for salary increases for public servants.
During her budget debate presentation, Ms. Parag said the Government understands the role that public servants play.
“Don’t tell this Government that they don’t care about public servants because every single year, there will be money allocated under 61:41 for public servants, so don’t mislead the nation by saying nothing is in here for public servants”, Parag said.
The Public Service Minister referenced a statement made by the Finance Minister under the last government that the Government would first have to consult with the union before deciding on a percentage of increase.
Minister Parag hinted that the Government plans to meet with the union and may have already started moves to that effect.
The Guyana Public Service Union has lashed out at the government over its failure to engage the union since taking office in 2020.
When the Government announced a 7% increase for public servants last year, it also came under fire for not consulting the union and not keeping a campaign promise.
During the elections, there were banners posted around the country indicating the PPP’s plan to increase the salaries in the public service by 50%. The same Minister of Public Service responded to the statement of the broken promises by claiming that the salary increase banners were photoshopped.
In her budget debate presentation yesterday, she accused the opposition of not doing enough to address issues related to public service during their time in office.
Minister Parag said that with the budget allocations to the Public Service Ministry this year of more than $3 Billion, a number of new initiatives will be implemented to train public servants and offer them opportunities to grow and develop themselves in several areas.
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