Dear Editor,
The recent move by the government to increase ministers’ salaries by exorbitant amounts (50%) has sparked much debate and has caused disheartenment among the populace. It is imperative that we remember they promised “significant” salary increases for government workers. This turned out to be a meagre increase (5% plus $5,000). Maybe they meant significant salary increases for themselves.
In an attempt to justify the salary increase, Minister of State Joseph Harmon said, “That [the current salary] is money I paid to one of my attorneys who worked with me when I was in private practice. Why should I be working for that?” This was an arrogant response and is tantamount to total disregard for the people of Guyana. Mr Harmon should be asked if he was receiving the benefits and allowances he does now while he was in the private sector.
Mr Harmon should keep in mind that he’s no longer in private practice. He should also be reminded that he made a conscious decision to leave private practice and to serve the Guyanese people. If he wishes to receive a salary equal to the amount he worked for, he should willingly return to private practice and not depend on the public purse for it.
We should reflect on comments Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, then AFC Vice Chairman, made when advocating higher public servant wages. He was quoted by KN (December 4, 2013) as saying “Minister Jennifer Westford should try living on a nurse’s salary for one month and then she would be able to accurately report on whether the five per cent increase in salary is enough.” He added “public servants don’t get lump sum allowances for travel, nor are they provided with maids, chauffeurs and gardeners all paid for by the state.”
Mr Nagamootoo seemed aware of the nature of the man of the ground. He seemed concerned that public servants were struggling while the public sector elite enjoyed ‘life in London’. He wasn’t aggrieved about the salaries received by the then government but rather the salaries received by nurses and police officers. Mr Nagamootoo should remind his fellow ministers not only of these words but the reality that our public servants face. He should come forward and rebuke Mr Harmon for his illogical justification of the salary increase.
It is also important for the APNU+AFC government to note the likely effects of Mr Harmon’s utterances. The government should keep in mind that we, the people, are more vigilant than ever before. In fact, we are less tolerant than ever where government mismanagement and misappropriation is concerned. Just as the previous administration was removed, so can they be. The same way we became frustrated by the 23-year-old government is the same way we can become frustrated by this infant government should it continue along this trajectory.
The government should be reminded that it is their duty to serve the people and not to serve self. If any group deserves a 50% salary increase at this time in Guyana’s history, it should be the nurses, teachers and security personnel (joint services). Our nation’s development rests primarily with their contributions and efforts.
Yours faithfully,
Elton Bollers
