in light of Government’s move to grant tax-free overtime to bauxite workers, calls are being made for this concession to be implemented across the board so that other Private Sector employees can benefit.
PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee
During a news conference on Monday, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Clement Rohee supported the move by the Government to approve the tax exempted overtime, but he noted that it should not be discriminatory.
In this regard, Rohee called for other Private Sector workers, particularly those in the sugar industry, to also be granted tax-free overtime.
“The PPP is of the view that tax-free overtime should be granted across the board without discrimination and sugar workers should be no exception,” he said.
“The Party calls on the Granger Administration to extend a similar concession to all workers in order to bring some relief to their sufferings, which has become increasingly unbearable ever since the assumption to office by the APNU/AFC [A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change] coalition Administration,” he stated.
According to Rohee, the move will definitely enhance the economic and financial well-being of the working people of Guyana.
Tax-exempted overtime for workers from the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) was announced by the Social Protection Ministry recently.
The decision followed a meeting with Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence, Junior Social Protection Minister Keith Scott, Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle and BCGI officials on Thursday last at the Ministry’s Brickdam office.
The meeting was a response to concerns raised by stakeholders when Ministers Lawrence and Scott visited the company to inspect the conditions under which the workers were employed. (Devina Samaroo)
