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FM
Former Member

Govt proposes 10 percent pay hike for lowest paid workers; one percent for highest paid…

 

The Guyana government says it is offering a 10 percent increase in wages and salaries for its employees earning less than GYD $100,000 per month.

The proposal entails:
Salary Earnings
(Range per month)
% Increase
Below $99,000 …10%
$100,000 – $299,000 …6%
$300,000 – $499,000 …5%
$500,000 – $799,000 …4%
$800,000 – $999,000 …2%
Above $1,000,000 …1%

Other workers earning more will receive lower increases.

"It was pointed out to the GPSU that the GOG’s final offer for wages and salaries increases for Public Servants had taken into consideration the current socio-economic environment; the difficulty in agreeing to increases that would entail having to raise additional revenue and the unsustainability of any further addition to its offer with regard to the current and future budgets," government said in a statement.

In the statement issued by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Presidency's Department of the Public Service, Reginald Brotherson, he said the Guyana Public Service Union has promised to respond to government's offer after its General Council meets.

Following is the full text of the Guyana government's statement on the pay negotiations.
On Wednesday August 24, 2016, the Government of Guyana (GOG) and the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) concluded discussions on Wages and Salaries for Public Servants within the Bargaining Unit for 2016.
The negotiations were conducted in the spirit of cordiality and mutual respect, and consistent with the obligations of the Memorandum of Agreement between the Guyana Public Service Union and the Public Service Ministry for the Avoidance and Settlement of Disputes.
The negotiations were conducted within a two month period from June 22, 2016 to August 24, 2016. During which period both the GOG and GPSU presented proposals and recommendations having mutually agreed that relief for public servants were both immediate and necessary. This timespan was influenced by requests made by the Union for information and data which the GOG as far as possible, sought to provide.
The initial proposal of the GPSU was for a 40% across the board increase for public servants. This was subsequently adjusted to 25%. The Union also requested that allowances be included in the negotiations.

In response, the GOG proposed a differentiated approach to increases that sought to provide the greatest relief to those within the lower Salary Bands of the Public Service Wages and Salaries Structure. In this regard, the Government proposed the following:
persons earning below $100,000 would receive 5.5% ;persons earning $100,000 to $300,000 would receive 5% ;
persons earning $300,000 to $800,000 would receive 4.5% ; persons earning $800,000 to $1,000,000 would receive 2% and persons earning over a $1,000,000 would receive 1%

The below $100,000.00 percentage offer of 5.5% was later increased to 6% .

The GOG also agreed to consider a review of allowances for public servants immediately upon the conclusion of the negotiations for Wages and Salaries. As a consequence, a Tripartite Committee comprising representatives from the Department of the Public Service, the Ministry of Finance and the Guyana Public Service Union was established to address this issue.

The GOG’s proposal took into consideration the fundamental need for a restructured Public Service which included the adjustment of scales for wages and salaries; the implementation of a merit increment system; and a resolution of the issue of bunching. It was pointed out to the Union, that each of these would entail an additional cost to Government and result in increased earnings for Public Servants.

The GOG’s proposal was rejected by the Union.

The Government reconsidered its position and a final offer was presented as follows:

Salary Earnings
(Range per month)
% Increase
Below $99,000 …10%
$100,000 – $299,000 …6%
$300,000 – $499,000 …5%
$500,000 – $799,000 …4%
$800,000 – $999,000 …2%
Above $1,000,000 …1%

It was pointed out to the GPSU that the GOG’s final offer for wages and salaries increases for Public Servants had taken into consideration the current socio-economic environment; the difficulty in agreeing to increases that would entail having to raise additional revenue and the unsustainability of any further addition to its offer with regard to the current and future budgets.

The GOG reiterated to the Union that its members were also the Government’s employees and that the Government was equally mindful of the need for financial relief for the workers under consideration.

The Union was also reminded of the relief measures that were granted to public servants since the ascension of the New Administration to office in May 2015. Those measures included an increase of the Minimum wage to $50,000; a 5% across-the-board plus $5000 increase, all within the 2015 National Budget, and, a one-off bonus of $50,000 for Public Servants earning below $500,000 per month in December 2015.

The GPSU agreed to consider the Government’s final offer and indicated that a response will be forthcoming after a meeting of its General Council.

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The Government reconsidered its position and a final offer was presented as follows:

Salary Earnings
(Range per month)
% Increase
Below $99,000 …10%
$100,000 – $299,000 …6%
$300,000 – $499,000 …5%
$500,000 – $799,000 …4%
$800,000 – $999,000 …2%
Above $1,000,000 …1%

FM

The coalition government is a bunch are liars. They made all of these promises and when they got elected, immediately gave themselves a huge raise. Not they are saying workers can only get a small raise because of  other reasons, the current socio-economic environment. 

I thought they said that revenues were coming in at above expectations, that the economy grew by approx. 4 percent last year and will grow by over 3 percent this year.

Their lies are coming back to haunt them. We now need to keep in mind that the, as Ramjattan said, ministers are not Angels. Setting the stage for major PIVOTS and FUTURE CORRUPTION!

Z

The government's proposal is an insult to public servants. The government quickly forked out $$$$millions to pay Larry Singh and BK Tiwari. After lengthy talks with the GPSU, is this really their "final offer"? The Granger administration has just given Jagdeo a free gun loaded with ammo and the PPP will aim and fire effectively.

FM
Gilbakka posted:

The government's proposal is an insult to public servants. The government quickly forked out $$$$millions to pay Larry Singh and BK Tiwari. After lengthy talks with the GPSU, is this really their "final offer"? The Granger administration has just given Jagdeo a free gun loaded with ammo and the PPP will aim and fire effectively.

Gill,you forget the 50% increase shortly after they took office,their salaries are close to Politicians in first world countries.

Django
Django posted:
Gilbakka posted:

The government's proposal is an insult to public servants. The government quickly forked out $$$$millions to pay Larry Singh and BK Tiwari. After lengthy talks with the GPSU, is this really their "final offer"? The Granger administration has just given Jagdeo a free gun loaded with ammo and the PPP will aim and fire effectively.

Gill,you forget the 50% increase shortly after they took office,their salaries are close to Politicians in first world countries.

Hehehe.  Don't cry.  Your PNC friends are getting rich.  Your wish is coming true.  One day at a time!!  BTW, me hear last night that you boi Rashleigh Jackson used to live in Hague.  True dat??  Or they talking about another Hague??

Bibi Haniffa
Django posted:
Gilbakka posted:

The government's proposal is an insult to public servants. The government quickly forked out $$$$millions to pay Larry Singh and BK Tiwari. After lengthy talks with the GPSU, is this really their "final offer"? The Granger administration has just given Jagdeo a free gun loaded with ammo and the PPP will aim and fire effectively.

Gill,you forget the 50% increase shortly after they took office,their salaries are close to Politicians in first world countries.

I haven't forgotten. In fact, I had started a thread and deplored the ministerial salary increase early days.

FM
Bibi Haniffa posted:
Django posted:
Gilbakka posted:

The government's proposal is an insult to public servants. The government quickly forked out $$$$millions to pay Larry Singh and BK Tiwari. After lengthy talks with the GPSU, is this really their "final offer"? The Granger administration has just given Jagdeo a free gun loaded with ammo and the PPP will aim and fire effectively.

Gill,you forget the 50% increase shortly after they took office,their salaries are close to Politicians in first world countries.

Hehehe.  Don't cry.  Your PNC friends are getting rich.  Your wish is coming true.  One day at a time!!  BTW, me hear last night that you boi Rashleigh Jackson used to live in Hague.  True dat??  Or they talking about another Hague??

True he has relatives from the village,i told you that village have people from all walks of life,also Dave Martin,Shakira Caine have roots there.

Me thinks President Arthur Chung have roots in the neighboring village Den Amstel.

Django
Last edited by Django
Gilbakka posted:
Django posted:
Me thinks President Arthur Chung have roots in the neighboring village Den Amstel.

Winsa Farrest, coolay. Windsor Forest.

Thanks Gill,one of his relatives [raised my neighbor grandson] lived in Den Amstel that's why i thought his roots from that village.

Django
KishanB posted:

Rhumjhatan seh that the treasury empty, but we know he LIE.  Money left fuh Granger to spend a billion on Durban Park.

Well, you used to say the same thing.  Now just seeing the back of BJ is not such a rewarding feeling, right!!

FM
ba$eman posted:
KishanB posted:

Rhumjhatan seh that the treasury empty, but we know he LIE.  Money left fuh Granger to spend a billion on Durban Park.

Well, you used to say the same thing.  Now just seeing the back of BJ is not such a rewarding feeling, right!!

Base it was the best thing to ever happen to Guyana to see the back of the PPPin 2015.  Guyana need that opportunity to try something new and some time out from the PPP.

Now the PPP are out, I think if they win in 2020, they will be a more responsible and empathetic government and as we can all see, BJ is a million times more competent that the JHATS in the Granger government.

FM
KishanB posted:
ba$eman posted:
KishanB posted:

Rhumjhatan seh that the treasury empty, but we know he LIE.  Money left fuh Granger to spend a billion on Durban Park.

Well, you used to say the same thing.  Now just seeing the back of BJ is not such a rewarding feeling, right!!

Base it was the best thing to ever happen to Guyana to see the back of the PPPin 2015.  Guyana need that opportunity to try something new and some time out from the PPP.

Now the PPP are out, I think if they win in 2020, they will be a more responsible and empathetic government and as we can all see, BJ is a million times more competent that the JHATS in the Granger government.

Now you talking. Jackass Granger is a big JH*t. He is and will always remain a racist PNC man.

Glad to see that you have finally opens up your eyes. The rest of the AFC crew enjoy Granger's Jha*.

FM

Department of Public Information

DPI REBUTS PPP PROPAGANDA |

Thursday, September 1, 2016
DPI rebuts PPP propaganda on public servants’ salary increases

- minimum wage public servants have taken home $235,980 more since May 2015
- Coalition Government working towards better salaries for public servants

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – The Department of Public Information provides the following comprehensive rebuttal to misinformation emanating from the opposition People’s Progressive Party. The latest installment has come via the PPP General Secretary, Mr. Clement Rohee.

1. The opposition-cuddling Guyana Times newspaper dutifully reported, in its Tuesday August 30th 2016 edition, “… Rohee noted that the 10 per cent increase was a betrayal of the Public Service and was not reflective of the 20 per cent increases promised by the coalition members on the campaign trail.”

Mr. Rohee’s attention is directed to page 25 of the APNU+AFC Coalition’s manifesto which states as follows:

“The APNU+AFC Coalition will: “…increase the salaries of all government workers, on a graduated basis, with the lowest paid receiving a 10% rise”.”

Mr. Rohee’s attention is further directed to page 81 of the 2015 budget presentation of the Minister of Finance, Mr. Winston Jordan.

Item 6.17 reads:

“Effective July 1, 2015 all other public servants will receive a 5 percent salary increase plus an additional $5,000 monthly. This, Mr. Speaker will allow for a greater increase in the lower income brackets. For example, a worker currently earning $50,000 will have a monthly increase of $7,500, or 15 percent; a person currently receiving a salary of $100,000 would get a 10 percent increase. Since the bulk of the public servants earn $100,000 and below, these are substantial increases, more than was promised to these categories of workers.”

Minister Jordan went on to explain, as outlined in the chart below (which is extracted from the budget presentation) that the salary increases provided for in the Coalition Government’s first budget was, in fact, significantly above what was promised in its manifesto and amounted to an historic increase of 26.4% for the lowest paid category of workers and 17.1% and 15% in the next bands.

In addition, in December of 2015 the Coalition Government made a one off payment of $50,000 to every public servant.

To place this in a comparative context, under the PPP, a public servant earning the PPP minimum wage of $39,540 for the second half of 2014 (July 1 to December 31) took home a total of $237,240.

Under the Coalition Government, for the corresponding six month period in 2015 (July 1, 2015 to December 31), the same employee took home $350,000 (representing $50,000 salary per month + $50,000 Christmas bonus in December).

Within the first 50 days in office, the Coalition Government put measures in place for the same worker to take home $112,760 more than they did under the PPP.

Further still under the Coalition Government the tax threshold has been increased and is now pegged at $55,000 per month.

Mr. Rohee’s attention is directed to page 73 of Minister Jordan’s 2016 budget presentation.

Item 6.13 reads:

“Mr. Speaker, I propose to amend the Income Tax Act to increase the income tax threshold to $660,000, from $600,000. With this measure, over 68,000 workers will be removed from the income tax roll, in addition to the fact that workers have an additional disposable income annually.”

The DPI implores Mr. Rohee not to ignore these facts and to eschew vacuous rhetoric and frantic politicking geared towards misleading the Guyanese public which is increasingly apathetic towards such hollow messaging.

Clarification of wage bill
2. Mr. Rohee was also reported as saying that “Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo (who) at the 2016 May Day Rally declared that Government had set aside $43.8 billion and $6.63 billion for INCREASED benefits and allowances in the 2016 Budget, for public servants”.

What Prime Minister Nagamootoo, in fact, said is, “(T)his year the Coalition set aside $43.8 billion for wages and salaries, as employment costs; and an additional $6.6 billion for benefits and allowances”.

The Prime Minister explained that the total employment bill stands at $50.4 Billion in the 2016 estimates and added that “any increase has to await the report of the Lutchman Commission and negotiations…”

The Coalition Government recognises that public servants deserve higher salaries to compensate for the many years they had been kept in bondage on what was described as ‘starvation wages’ under the Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar regimes.

The Coalition Government, in 15 months in office, has had to stretch limited resources to conduct a concerted campaign in defence of Guyana’s territorial integrity, rebuild the public service, fix broken infrastructure, control a rebellious prison population, combat the ravages of El Nino, combat crime, fight and contain ZIKA, pay hefty judgment sums for cases lost or mishandled under the previous administration and to host local government elections which were denied under the PPP government for 22 years.

UNTOLD STORY – public servants have taken home $235,980 more
The untold story is that minimum wage public servants have taken home a total of $789,540 for the 15 months of the Coalition Government being in office.

Under the PPP they would have taken home $553,560 for the same period, a difference of $235,980.

Good faith
The Coalition Government has demonstrably acted in good faith with regard to increase in public servants’ salaries and remains committed to the goal of realising the good life for all.

The DPI appeals to the opposition PPP to act responsibly and honestly in the discourse of these and other matters.
-ENDS-

Minister Jordan’s budget presentation remains available for public scrutiny here:
http://finance.gov.gy/ima…/uploads/documents/budget_2015.pdf

Mars
KishanB posted:
, BJ is a million times more competent that the JHATS in the Granger government.

Really! In what way?   That is aside from the fact that he is Indian, and you are angry that AFC Indians didn't replace PNC Indians (and I warned you all that this Moses fanaticism that you all brought would anger the PNC, given that AFC Indos brought in few votes).

1. We have the whole Roger Khan fiasco, culminating in the assassination of Sat Sawh.

2. WikiLeaks indicates that the US gov't (and no doubt the Canadian and UK gov'ts) all but considered the PPP to be a criminal enterprise.  I can think of no other Caribbean country where so many ministers and the commissioner of police, were barred from entry into the ABC nations.  In fact the US gov't didn't trust releasing to Jagdeo any information concerning narco activities.

3.  The economy showed real growth from 1991 to around 1997, this due to the Hoyte reforms and relief to see the end of the PNC, which was especially visible in the rice sector.  From then on the economy stagnated until around 2007, when gold prices gave the economy a major boost.  Given that this period coincides with Jagdeo, can you tell me why this era was great.

This new gov't is indeed a major disappointment.  Not because it is worse than the PPP was.  Because its NO DIFFERENT, and people had indeed had hoped that it would be.

FM

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