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8% public servant pay increase is not what it seems

Nov 05, 2011 Letters

 

 

DEAR EDITOR,
The truth always comes out with Bharrat Jagdeo. In this election season of trying to buy Guyanese voters with their own money, he announced an 8% pay increase for public servants.
He behaved like he was Santa Claus giving them money. But he didn’t tell them he planned on taking it all back. That his dismal economic management will continue to foster inflation which will strip away 4% of that increase. That after 33% income tax is taken from the poor working class public servant sugar worker or nurse, it will be a shame left. That after they pay their 5% NIS to collect a pension of $7,500 per month when they retire at 55, they will be royally shafted. That the insult will continue when they have to fork over 16% in VAT.
In a country where Bharrat Jagdeo will retire like an emperor with his ridiculous pension, gardener, cook, secretary, security guards, use of state motor vehicles, free travel all over the world and more, he decides to try to hoodwink the working class people with their own money only to take it away.
Eight percent public servant pay increase less 4% inflation less 33% income tax less 5% NIS and less 16% VAT leaves a 1.84% increase for the pockets of the working class people. There are jokes and then there is this.
Look, this is an election gimmick, just like the laptop handout fiasco. It is spending money people have paid in taxes to try to buy their votes.
The AFC says they will give a 20% increase. Using the AFC’s claimed deductions and tax reductions, the AFC’s handout to public servants will leave something closer to 9.2% in the hands of public servants.
A better deal if money matters to you. I know it does matter to most Guyanese struggling to stay alive in a cost of living nightmare. 9.2% more is a lot better than 1.84%.
M. Maxwell

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