Public Works Minister Juan Edghill has made it clear that the government is aware of the inadequacy of the public and private sector minimum wage.
“This government is committed to supporting the income of not just public servants, but all Guyanese,” Edghill said during his 2020 Budget presentation currently ongoing at the Arthur Chung Conference Center.
“We are highly cognizant of the fact that income levels in the current public and private sector wages are inadequate to allow average persons a due level of independence and high standard of living,” the Minister added.
He noted that the situation is further complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to him, the budget is geared towards providing some immediate relief, including the house to house cash grant.
“We announced an unconditional, $25,000 cash grant per household, which is intended to supplement household income in a time of economic downturn. The other series of measures will also result in additional disposable income being made available to households,” he noted.