The Opposition People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) today said it fully supports the position of the Guyana Teachers’ Union and all teachers in rejecting the government’s 10% salary offer.

After the union agreed to shelve its 2019-2023 proposal and negotiate for 2024 to 2026, the Government is offering a 10% increase for this year, along with an 8% increase for next year and a 9% increase for 2026.

The GTU has been pressing for an increase of over 30%, but has indicated that teachers would accept an increase between 20% and 25%.

On Thursday, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo defended the Government’s 10% offer, while accusing the GTU of following the lead of the political opposition in rejecting the offer.

But in its statement today, the People’s National Congress said it is the Vice President who has been and continues to be unhelpful to the process between the GTU and the Education Ministry with his statements

The PNC reminded that it is the same Jagdeo who called for teachers to be given a salary increase between 40% and 50% in 2018 while he served as Opposition leader.

The PNC said now that Mr. Jagdeo and his party are in Government, and although there is access to more financial resources at their disposal, the Government is being hypocritical with its 10% offer to the nation’s teachers

The PNC/R said it believes that the Government can afford to meet the demand of the teachers.

The party said the union has already given up five years from its negotiations, but appears as though the Government still does not want to meet the demands of the teachers and their union.

“Undoubtedly, any sober and fair-minded Guyanese will realise that the PPP would much rather feed corruption than add value to the lives of our teachers as the cost of living has skyrocketed far beyond what a mere 10% can compensate. We therefore believe that GTU’s counter-offer is reasonable and affordable,” the Opposition party noted.

The party said teachers deserve to be paid better, with a livable wage being offered to them.

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