GPSU wages increase… AFC says Govt.’s final offer will improve public spending
The Alliance for Change has commended its colleagues in government, particularly Minister of Finance Winston Jordan, on the final offer made to public servants and believes that the 10 per cent increase will improve spending power.
Gaskin, who is the treasurer of the AFC, made this declaration while fielding questions from the media at his party’s bi-weekly press conference.
He said, “I think a 10 per cent increase certainly does increase spending power. It’s 10 per cent more money at their disposal.”
When asked if he believes the increase is sufficient, Gaskin said that ascertaining what is sufficient is relative. “Profits for businesses are never sufficient. That is the nature of business, businesses always want greater profits, and I assume that human nature is no different, we want bigger and bigger salaries every year.”
Based on that line of reasoning Gaskin said that no wage increase would ever be accepted as sufficient. He said that the more important matter is what can be afforded.
The Business Minister was then asked if he believes the increase will create liveable wages for the thousands of public servants. He said that this too is relative since it all depends on how persons wish to live.
“It depends on how we want to live. When compared to a lot of countries Guyanese earn considerably more than other developing countries.” Despite this, the politician said that it does not mean that the increase is sufficient.
“A lot of things are relative; we are not a rich country as yet. We have great natural wealth. I think part of our job as a government is to find ways to make sure natural wealth is spread among everyone and create opportunities for everyone.”
The GPSU had made known its discontent with the government’s final offer, whereas 10 per cent is given to the lowest paid employees and one per cent to the highest paid.
According to Finance Minister Jordan, the offer is one which is sustainable by the state. However, the Union had responded to Jordan’s comment saying that his “affordability” and “sustainability” argument is counter to what the union’s ongoing investigations have shown.
The union had made several requests to access official information which calls into question the affordability claim. These files however, are yet to be provided for analysis.
According to President of the union, Patrick Yarde, Jordan appears indifferent to the importance of better pay for all categories of public servants in circumstances where quite a few contracted employees at his ministry enjoy super salaries.
Jordan’s statements were described by the union as being counterproductive and potentially damaging to negotiations since the union had indicated that it wishes to return to the negotiation table.
Yarde said that the Finance Minister should be counselled to desist from making pronouncements that do no more than pollute the prevailing environment.