Gov’t remains unmoved on 5%; Public servants to receive increase on Monday

[www.inewsguyana.com] – Despite numerous protests across the country for more than a five percent wage increase, the government has remained steadfast in its decision and come Monday, December 15, public servants can expect the increase in their salaries, retroactive from January 2013.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon told a news conference on Wednesday, December 11 that government decided to go ahead with the five percent increase after it failed to reach a consensus with the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU).

“As we come down to the end of the year, recognizing that we have consummately failed in arriving at a consensus then the issue for us in the administration has always been how to respond to the 30,000 breadwinners/heads of households in December, the administration reaches out to respond to its employees,” Dr. Luncheon said.

He explained that the government’s response of not increasing the five percent is not a reckless one but one of a “caring government.” According to Dr. Luncheon, at the end of the day, it comes down to a “bread and butter” issue.

For the past two weeks, there has been a spate of protest across Guyana by public servants and the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), calling for government to increase the five percent.

The GPSU mounted the largest picketing exercise outside the Office of the President on Monday (December 9).

Protesters demanded at least 15% increase which the Parliamentary Opposition says provisions were made for in the National 2013 Budget.

On the protest line also were were Opposition Leader David Granger, his opposition colleague, AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan and President of the GPSU Patrick Yarde.