The Working People’s Alliance (WPA) has characterised President Irfaan Ali’s recent address to the National Assembly as more of a campaign speech than a genuine policy initiative.
In a statement yesterday, amid widespread discussion regarding the President’s announcements, the WPA said that the choice of the National Assembly for “a party campaign address” underscored a troubling trend of party paramountcy in Guyana. The party said that the multiple policy initiatives proclaimed reflected a recognition that the government had fallen short in addressing the pressing socio-economic challenges facing the nation.
In particular, the WPA said, the speech’s content included several ideas long advocated by the opposition, suggesting a tacit acknowledgment of their relevance. However, the party criticised the President’s measures aimed at increasing disposable income as inadequate, labelling them as short-term solutions that do not address the root causes of economic hardship.
A key point raised in the WPA’s statement was the ongoing issue of poverty in Guyana, where an estimated 42% of the population lives on less than $5.50 a day. The WPA reiterated its call for direct cash transfers to citizens as a vital strategy for poverty alleviation. Noting the President’s announcement of a one-off $200,000 cash transfer per household, it expressed scepticism about the government’s ability to implement this initiative effectively.
While it welcomed the restoration of tuition-free attendance at the University of Guyana, the WPA urged that it must be part of a broader plan to enhance the institution’s capabilities. The statement called for significant investments to upgrade the university and its faculty to meet the demands of a growing petro-state.
The party also criticised the proposed increase of the minimum wage to $100,000, labelling it as unrealistic and more of a political manoeuvre than a substantive change in labour policy. It emphasised that wages should be linked to the cost of living and the government’s financial capabilities to ensure fair compensation.
The WPA stressed that the various development initiatives promulgated by the President must be accompanied by robust social protection measures to ensure their effectiveness. The party pledged to continue advocating for sustainable policies that prioritise the welfare of the Guyanese people over political opportunism.
