GPSU asks Govt. for additional 25% wage increase for 2024

Sep 17, 2025 News

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…calls for review of remuneration and superannuation benefits paid to public servants

Kaieteur News – President of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) Patrick Yarde has written to Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh proposing an additional 25 per cent across-the-board wage increase for 2024, for all public servants.

The union in a letter to the minister, that was copied to President Irfaan Ali, said that the rising cost of living and the burden it has placed on workers, particularly, in the lower income bracket must be considered.

“This adjustment is necessary to protect our members from a decline in their purchasing power and economic stability. The Union is also proposing an across-the-board increase of 35% for 2026.”

Last year, the government signed a two-year agreement with the GPSU that will result in salary increases and improved allowances for public servants.

Under the agreement, public servants received a retroactive 10% salary increase effective from January 1, 2024. Additionally, it was agreed that public servants will receive a further 8% salary increase this year. This increase was paid to public servants in July.

However, the GPSU said that the increase in wages and salaries by the government is inadequate.

“The GPSU also suggests that a wage policy be developed bilaterally to guide the wage increase over the next 5 years to meet the goal of a living wage particularly for the lower paid workers,” the letter said.

The union through its president said that it has noted the government’s acknowledgement of “this urgent issue and the measures your administration had taken to alleviate the effects of rising food and other prices on the population.”

“The concept of a living wage in Guyana, particularly for Public Sector Workers, has been a recurring topic of discussion between the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) and the Government. While specific figures for a universally agreed-upon “living wage” can be complex to define due to varying methodologies and economic factors, the GPSU has consistently advocated for wages that allow Public Sector Employees to meet their basic needs, including food, clothing, and shelter, and escape poverty. This advocacy intensified in response to the rising cost of living, which has disproportionately affected lower-income households,” the union stated.

Further, the GPSU reminded that the government has acknowledged the challenges posed by the rising cost of living and has implemented various measures to mitigate its impact.

“These measures have included targeted financial relief, and adjustments to public sector salaries. However, the GPSU has often argued that these adjustments have not been sufficient to bridge the gap between current wages and a true living wage, especially for those at the lower end of the pay scale, with the Union pushing for a more substantial and sustainable solution to address the issue of poverty among Public Sector Workers.”

The letter continued: “The economic models used to calculate a living wage often consider factors such as the average cost of a basket of essential goods and services, housing costs, transportation, and healthcare, aiming to ensure that a full-time worker can afford a decent standard of living without relying on additional social assistance.”

Additionally, the GPSU said that the public servants it represents have “demonstrated unwavering commitment, often under challenging circumstances, to deliver essential services to our citizens.”

“Their invaluable contributions, which are critical to the effective functioning of our society, deserve to be recognized with fair and competitive compensation,” GPSU said.

The GPSU has consistently called for increased funding for salary rationalization, and has argued that recent Guyanese government budgets, while emphasizing capital works and infrastructure, have not allocated sufficient resources to human capital development, particularly regarding public servants’ remuneration and working conditions.

“Similarly, the GPSU accentuates that superannuation benefits also require urgent review to ensure that these categories of workers are adequately compensated.”

The union said that in accordance with the Labour Act, Chapter 98:01 it is exercising “our right to negotiate for new terms and conditions of employment, including adjustments to wages and salaries. We propose to begin negotiations immediately at a mutually agreeable location.”

The union has requested a meeting to deliberate on its proposals and the way forward. The letter was copied to President Irfaan Ali.

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• GPSU, Patrick Yarde, public servants, remuneration, superannuation, Wage increase

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