Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton yesterday defended his $1.8 million monthly salary following Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo’s charge of hypocrisy over the recent increase granted to public servants.
During a press conference hosted by the PNCR, Norton addressed questions about his salary, explaining that it was inherited upon taking up the role of Opposition Leader. He dismissed claims of hypocrisy, insisting that his critique was not about the President’s salary itself but about the disparity in how the 10% increase awarded to public servants affects lower-income earners versus government officials.
“In the first place, I didn’t criticize the President’s pay. I came in as Opposition Leader and met the President’s salary. I also inherited the salary of the Leader of the Opposition. What I criticized was the across-the-board 10% increase,” Norton said.
Norton added that there is an inequality in the 10% hike, pointing out that for someone earning $100,000 monthly, the increase translates to just $10,000, while for those earning higher salaries, such as ministers or the President, the same percentage means significantly larger increases.
“When you give the same increase to ministers and the President, it’s highway robbery. For the President, the 10% translates to $290,000 a month. Calculate that by 12 months. For me as Opposition Leader, it’s $107,000 multiplied by 12. What should’ve been done is 35% for the small fries, while the President should’ve gotten no more than 1%,” Norton added.
Despite his critique, Norton clarified he is not fundamentally opposed to the President’s salary. “An increase like this gives plenty more to ministers, the Opposition Leader, and the President when it should be given to the small man who really needs it”, Norton said.
Vice President Jagdeo, at his Thursday press conference outlined Norton’s salary adding this it was hypnotical of Norton especially since he said that the Opposition Leader is contributing little to the political process while earning a hefty salary.
“We looked at his total monthly allowances and emoluments, and it works out to $1.8 million,” Jagdeo said. “Norton earns that now for doing nothing, practically. This excludes his annual vacation allowance and other payments. He also gets a budget running into tens of millions for his office.”
President Irfaan Ali earlier this week announced that the government concluded 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.
