Over 12,000 members of Joint Services to receive $1.6B in Christmas bonus – Pres Ali announces

On the heels of the Government’s recently announced salary increases for all public servants, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Dr Irfaan Ali has announced that the Disciplined Services will also benefit from a one-month annual bonus – a $1.6 billion injection that will be added to their monthly salary as well as the $100,000 one-off cash grant for adult Guyanese.
During a visit to Base Camp Seweyo for a Christmas lunch on Saturday, President Dr Irfaan Ali announced Christmas bonuses for the joint services. This bonus comes just days after President Ali had announced salary increases for public servants, as per an agreement with the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU).
“One of the things that I’m very proud of from the first year, is that when we came back into office, as your Commander-in-Chief we were able to restore the annual bonus. Two weeks of annual bonus, that was taken away from you. One year later, we were able to restore the full annual bonus,” President Ali said.

“And today, I want to announce that this year also, 12,000 of our service men and women will receive again, the annual bonus for our men and women soldiers. So, in addition to your $100,000 grant, you will be receiving this year, one month of annual bonus, which is $1.6 billion transfer to our men and women in uniform.”
President Ali also saluted the service men and women for their service to Guyana, particularly during the Christmas time when they have to be so far away from their families. He quoted from a Danny Rongo song titled ‘A Soldier’s Christmas Song’ to illustrate his point.
“There is a song by Danny Rongo and I will quote a section of that song, that speaks about a soldier’s life. And here is what that song says. ‘Our job is harder at this time of the year. The Christmas spirit wraps around our fear. But there is a knowing that we stand for something more’,” President Ali quoted.
“And that is the life of a soldier, our men and women in uniform, knowing that most of the world will be waking up on Christmas morning with their families, but still being happy wrapped around your own fears and Christmas, knowing that you stand for something more.”
Public servants including teachers and sugar workers have so far received a 10 per cent across-the-board salary increase for this year. In addition, President Ali had also announced that they would get an eight per cent increase for next year. A two-year agreement reflecting these increases was also signed with the GPSU
The President went further, announcing that allowances will be provided for individuals with certain qualifications, effective January 1, 2025.

These include a $15,000 monthly allowance for public servants with Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) qualifications, an additional $22,000 per month for holders of a master’s degree, and an additional $32,000 per month for holders of a doctoral degree.
During its time in office, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Coalition Government had taken away the one-month tax-free bonus from the joint services, which the PPP/C Administration re-implemented after returning to office. Last year marked the first time that this tax-free bonus was also extended to civilian GDF workers.
The Government’s $100,000 Cash Grant Initiative was announced by President Ali in October and every Guyanese citizen 18 years old and over, with a valid ID or passport, will receive the payout.
The initial distribution process of the $100,000 one-off cash grant is expected to see about 300,000 Guyanese receiving their cash grants before the end of the year, while the remainder of persons should receive theirs next year. (G-3)