President Irfaan Ali today announced that the government will be signing a two-year agreement with the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) which includes a retroactive 10% salary increase for 2024, as well as an 8% increase for 2025.
“As I speak to you today, at this moment, we are about to sign an agreement with the Guyana Public Service Union. In that agreement, public servants will benefit this year, retroactive from January, from a 10% increase in salary. This 10% increase, retroactive from January 1, 2024, will amount to a 35% cumulative salary increase over the last four years. Further, (we) have been able to agree with the Union that 2025 will also see an increase in the salary of public servants of 8%.”
The President was speaking at the Guyana Police Force’s Christmas breakfast at the Police Officers’ Mess, Eve Leary.
President Ali also announced adjustments aimed at reducing salary disparities.
“Public servants on GS 1-6 with a minimum of four years of service within the current scale will be moved to the midpoint of that scale resulting (in) an increase as much as 13 percent for some public servants”. Secondly, public servants on GS 1-6 with a minimum of eight years of service within their current scale will be moved to the maximum of that scale resulting in an increase of as much as 26% for some public servants. Public servants currently at a minimum of scale 7 to 8 upon attaining 4 years in their current scale will be paid an additional monthly amount equivalent to nominal difference between the minimum and midpoint of GS 6 resulting in an increase of as much as 11% for some public servants”.
Additionally, he also announced several qualification allowances:
· ACCA holders: $15,000 monthly.
· Master’s degree holders: $22,000 monthly.
· Doctoral degree holders: $32,000 monthly.
Moreover there will also be an increase in uniform allowances.
“Additionally, a $5,000 annual increase in uniform allowance for current eligible categories of health workers and also a $10,000 increase for public servants.
“A housing allowance of $35,000 monthly for public servants on secondment transferred to inland location effective from the 1st of January, 2025. Station allowance of $8,000 monthly for public servants serving in certain riverine and inland areas effective from the 1st of January, 2025.
“A risk allowance increase of 50%, an increase in motor car and travel allowance, and a 104% increase in motor car and travel allowance. The granting of 100 duty-free concessions per annum to the position of staff nurses and above, with priority given to persons with the longest years of service and those who have never benefited from a duty-free concession. This would ensure that the criteria of those who are granted a duty-free also serve the time between 5 years and 3 years, so it is an incentive for the retention of our nurses also. Of course, the continuous awarding of scholarships is a continued benefit to the public service”, he said.
The Government today issued the following statement:
Government of Guyana Statement
Government of Guyana Statement
Salary Increases and Other Incentives for Public Servants
The Government of Guyana has signed a landmark two-year agreement with the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) that will result in significant salary increases and improved allowances for public servants.
His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has since announced a series of transformative measures contained in the agreement including increasing salaries, addressing disparities, and incentivizing professional development within the public service.
Under the agreement, public servants will receive a retroactive 10% salary increase effective from January 1, 2024. This adjustment builds on the government’s consistent efforts over the years, resulting in a cumulative 35% increase in salaries over the past four years.
Additionally, public servants will receive a further 8% salary increase in 2025, raising the cumulative increase to an even higher threshold and demonstrating the government’s unwavering dedication to enhancing the financial well-being of public servants.
In tandem, the Government is pleased to announce that earlier today, the University of Guyana Workers’ Union (UGWU) and the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) signed a historic three-year agreement. This accord delivers 10% salary increases in 2024, 8% in 2025, and 9% in 2026, ensuring parity with agreements concluded with the GTU.
In keeping with our commitment to equity and fairness, measures have been introduced to address salary disparities.
Public servants in Grades 1 to 6 with a minimum of four years of service will be moved to the midpoint of their current scale, resulting in salary increases of up to 13% for some employees. Those with a minimum of eight years of service within Grades 1 to 6 will be moved to the maximum of their scale, leading to salary increases of up to 26%.
Additionally, public servants in Grades 7 to 8 with at least four years of service in their current scale will be eligible for an additional monthly amount equivalent to the nominal difference between the minimum and midpoint of Grade 6, providing increases of up to 11%.
The government is also introducing qualification allowances to incentivize education and professional development, effective January 1, 2025. Holders of ACCA qualifications will receive an additional $15,000 monthly, while individuals with master’s and doctoral degrees will receive $22,000 and $32,000 monthly, respectively.
To further improve working conditions and support public servants, several additional measures have been approved. Uniform allowances for eligible health workers will increase by $5,000 annually, and public servants will see a $10,000 increase, resulting in an overall increase of up to 77%.
Public servants transferred to hinterland locations will receive a housing allowance of $35,000 monthly, and those serving in riverine and hinterland areas will benefit from a station allowance of $8,000 monthly, representing an increase of up to 300%.
Risk allowances will increase by 50%, while motorcar and travel allowances will see a significant 104% increase. Furthermore, the government will grant 100 duty-free concessions annually for staff nurses and above, prioritizing long-serving personnel who have not previously benefited from such concessions.
The government will also continue to award scholarships to public servants, reaffirming its commitment to education and the professional development of its workforce.
The Government thanks the leadership of the GPSU, GTU, UGWU, UGSSA, and all stakeholders for their constructive engagement and cooperation throughout the negotiation process. Further, the Government expresses its gratitude to all public servants for their service and looks forward to continued collaboration in achieving the nation’s development goals.
