“I have not asked for any salary” – former Business Minister

…says he has 40 years of manufacturing experience

Former Business Minister Dominic Gaskin

Former Government Minister, Dominic Gaskin, who was recently appointed as Director of Manufacturing and Marketing in the Business Ministry, has declared that neither did he request to function in that new post nor did he have any discussions to date as to what his new salary and benefits would be.
He made this disclosure at a press briefing on Friday where he told reporters that while his resignation was “unconditional”, he did indicate his willingness to serve the Government in any capacity that would further the objectives of the Administration in areas for which he had been responsible for.
“Now the position of Director of Manufacturing and Marketing is certainly an area where there is a lot of work that has to be done. I can tell you that because of my involvement over the last four years. I personally believe that a position dedicated to that responsibility, to that particular area, is certainly one that is not a frivolous appointment, and it certainly has a focus and it is certainly in an area where attention is badly needed. I have spent almost 40 years in manufacturing, I understand a thing or two about manufacturing, I understand the challenges faced by manufacturers in Guyana, I understand those challenges very well.”
According to the former Business Minister, he is well aware of what needs to be done to address the challenges in the country’s manufacturing sector and to also make it more competitive.
“It is not a long-term appointment so it is not something that I am making a career out of,” Gaskin told the press.
In light of recent criticisms that he is being paid a mega salary as the Director of Manufacturing and Marketing, he claimed that he commenced the job without knowing if and what he would be given as a salary.
“In terms of salary and benefits, I have no idea, we have not even had that discussion. As I said before, my resignation was unconditional, and I have indicated my willingness to serve in any capacity in which I could be useful. I have not asked for any salary, we have not had that discussion yet…I don’t think as a former Minister, accepting an appointment with less responsibilities, that the compensation would or should be the same.”
He added that his appointment within the Business Ministry will not affect the current Minister’s roles and responsibilities in any form or manner as they both have different functions in their capacities.
On Tuesday, Government announced that it was rehiring former Ministers Dominic Gaskin and Dr Rupert Roopnaraine.
Guyana Times understands that both Gaskin and Roopnaraine continue to receive super salaries.
Gaskin, Dr Roopnaraine, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge and former Minister Joseph Harmon, all dual citizens, resigned as Ministers and Members of Parliament (MPs) effective April 25.
On April 30, Harmon, a United States citizen, was appointed Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency.