Higher salaries, housing support, training opportunities & more in the next term – PPP/C to Joint Services

As the Disciplined Services members head to the polls today, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) on Thursday made its final appeal to the men and women in uniform, seeking their support for a second term in office.

In an open ‘Letter to the Joint Services’, the party’s frontrunners – Presidential Candidate Dr Irfaan Ali and Prime Ministerial Candidate Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, both of whom are seeking re-election – reiterated the PPP/C’s commitment towards supporting not just the ranks but also their families.
“We recognise your vital role, and we will continue to equip and support you so that both your service and your loved ones are safeguarded with dignity and pride. The PPP/C does not merely commend your service; we reward it,” the letter detailed.
Ali and Phillips noted that over the past five years, the PPP/C Government has restored their dignity, improved conditions, and provided the tools they need to serve Guyana with pride, and most importantly – delivered on promises made.
“Over the past five years, we have restored the one-month tax-free bonus, resulting in $2 billion more per year to the disciplined services. We increased salaries, adjusted the pay scale upward, accelerated promotions, improved working conditions, provided more training and scholarships and much more,” they noted.
The PPP/C frontrunners went on to add that, “In the next five years, our joint services can look forward to higher wages and salaries, support in owning their own homes, expanded scholarship opportunities, childcare facilities, greater opportunities for promotion, expanded access to healthcare, recreational facilities and a healthier working environment. When you have the right tools, training, and support, Guyana is safer. When your families are cared for, your service grows stronger. And when your sacrifices are honoured, the entire nation stands more secure and united.”
According to the leaders, while the other parties have also promised, the PPP/C has the track record, vision, and will to deliver – something it has proven time and again.

APNU/AFC failed
In fact, during his weekly press conference on Thursday, PPP General Secretary Dr Bharrat Jagdeo reminded everyone of all the promises that were made to the Joint Services in 2015 by the then A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition, which failed to deliver on them during their tenure in office.
“They failed on all those promises,” Jagdeo stated, noting that the Coalition thought that “…they could’ve taken the policemen and soldiers and other members of the Disciplined Forces for granted. And they took away the one-month tax-free bonus… That’s $2 billion from the pockets of the soldiers, our policemen and others.”
According to Jagdeo, the leader and presidential candidate of APNU, Aubrey Norton, had even supported the bonus removal, which they had dubbed as a bribe to the ranks. He was also reminded of Norton’s continued attacks on uniform ranks, especially police officers.
“[Norton] was opposed to the bonus as late as 2019. Now, I see him saying he will support the bonus… How could anyone in his or her right sense believe anything that Norton says? He has been very vile against the members of the Joint Services, especially the police – calling them grossly incompetent…
For his part, however, Norton also issued a last-minute plea to Joint Services members, telling them to make an assessment as to which is the best party as he outlines APNU’s plans for the Disciplined Services, which include salary increases, tax reductions and cash transfers, including the one-month.
Similarly, the Alliance For Change (AFC) also promises salary increases and support for families of officers who die on duty. In his message, AFC Leader and Presidential Candidate Nigel Hughes urged officers for their votes.
Meanwhile, Presidential Candidate of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, US-sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed, also issued his plea to the Joint Services members, promising a host of support for improved quality of life.