With government unilaterally announcing wage increases for public servants for a third straight year in the absence of collective bargaining, the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) yesterday called the decision by the Irfaan Ali-led administration unconstitutional and discriminatory.
“This arbitrary announcement is being done in conflict with the Constitution and Laws of Guyana, International Labour Organisation core Conventions and the Declaration of Fundamental Rights and Principles of Workers and the legally binding Collective Labour Agreements between the Guyana Public Service Union and the Government of Guyana. It is also in conflict with all guiding principles of any organization that has working class credentials,” GPSU yesterday said in a statement in reaction to the announcement.
Further, the union said the “miniscule” increase totally ignores the astronomical increase in cost of living and current inadequate earnings of workers, who have been providing quality public services. As a result, it said the labour debt that is owed to the workers by the PPP/C government must be paid.