The National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) and the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) reiterated in a recent release that the tax free temporary cost of living adjustment is not applicable to all staff.
According to a joint release from the two entities, Circular No. 8/2008 issued by the Public Service Ministry clearly states that the temporary adjustment from May to December 2008 of $4,000 per month is applicable under the following two conditions:
1) Only persons who are employed in the traditional Public Service are eligible for this temporary cost of living adjustment, and
2) The individual’s salary must not exceed $50,000 per month after the 5% increase for 2008 is added to their existing salary.
The release noted that the contents of this circular were made clear to union representatives.
Consequently, the release added, semi-autonomous entities under the purview of the Ministry of Agriculture do not qualify for this temporary cost of living adjustment.