UN Public Service Day: GPSU urges increased focus on human capital, workers to achieve growth

As Guyana joins the rest of the world in observing United National Public Service Day, the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) calls on the Government of Guyana to reprioritise its growth and modernisation agendas to include adequate accommodation for the human capital and public service workers.
“Development and Progress must be inclusive of the workers that manage and implement the system in delivering Quality Public Services for a better future,” the union stated in a release.
It further stated that while cumulative wealth is created for some, precarious work continues for others.

“Stop the hemorrhaging of much-needed resources that can provide adequate pay for workers. It is just a political will that is needed to change the circumstances of poverty.”
The Union reiterated that public service workers deliver the core of Government services and lack the recognition for the value created while noting that their development is stymied by poor responsive mechanisms to strengthen them in preparation for a better future, for themselves and that of their families. “The time to act is now,” GPSU added.
However, the union salutes all workers and calls on them to be mindful of their values, roles, and the impact of the services provided to the communities that benefit and depend on these facilities for their survival.
“As Public Servants providing Health Care, Building Infrastructure, Ensuring Safety, Delivering Education, Air Navigation Services, Revenue Collection, Environmental Health, and Protection Services you are the foundation upon which growth and development take place. The power of progress is in the hands of the Public Sector Workers to shape the innovative advancements that propel progress in societies.”
Notwithstanding, the Guyana Public Service Union also urged its membership to continue to strive for excellence despite the many inequitable situations faced daily.
Just last week, statistics released showed that under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government from 2020 to now, public servants benefitted from as much as $83 billion in increases annually, which is significantly more than the $43 billion in increases they received under the APNU/AFC administration.
The statistics further disclosed that in 2014, the public sector wage bill increased by $77.6 Billion encompassing central government, public enterprises, and statutory bodies. In 2015, the year APNU/AFC took power, that number was $87.7 Billion. In 2016, the wage bill increased to $94.4 Billion, in 2017 by $103.3 Billion, in 2018 by $111.9 Billion and in 2019 by $121.2 Billion.
The Public Sector wage bill increased in 2020 by the PPP/C Government, marking an increase of $126.8 Billion. In 2021 that increase was $135.2 Billion, in 2022 it was $155.3 Billion, in 2023 it was $181.5 Billion and in 2024 it had reached $210.7 Billion.
However, the percentage stats reflect that from 2014 to 2019, wages increased by 56.1 per cent, while in 2020 to 2024 they increased by 66.1 per cent.
Additionally, the Government raised the income tax threshold from $65,000 to $75,000 in 2022 and then to $85,000 in 2023 and $100,000 in 2024.
It also reinstated the one-month tax-free bonus that was given to members of the Disciplined Services at the end of the year.
In November 2023, President Dr Irfaan Ali had announced salary increases, incentives and allowances for teachers, a $25,000 one-time bonus for all public employees and pensioners, and a one-off $35,000 cash bonus for persons with disabilities (PWDs), all to be paid in December.
Approximately 67,000 public employees are estimated to have benefitted from this one-time bonus including teachers, employees of semi-autonomous organisations, and members of the Disciplined Services. A total of 19,000 PWDs and as many as 72,000 pensioners are expected to have benefitted.
Other initiatives taken by the PPP government that have benefitted Guyanese, including public servants, are increased allocations to the education sector, expanded school feeding programme, increase in Because We Care vouchers for children, and provision of more than 21,000 scholarships under the Guyana Online Academy of Learning, of which 20 per cent have gone to teachers.
They have also distributed more than 30,000 house lots and initiated a part-time jobs Programme that is placing incomes into the hands of 15,000 workers. These measures, the Government has noted, are aimed at empowering workers, enhancing the well-being of their families, and contributing to the flourishing of the nation.