Public servants flood local banks
– to access tax-free retroactive salary increases
DPI, Guyana, Monday, December 16, 2019
Public servants have been flocking to the local banks to access their tax-free retroactive salary increases that were approved by the Coalition Government.
Adessa Burke, a teacher from Mahaica, praised the administration’s efforts to reward public servants with what she said was more than was expected.
“As a teacher and a teacher that just graduated from the University of Guyana, I think that it would do so well- the additional bonus on my salary. I am actually planning to do a lot of Christmas shopping with it and I really do think it will benefit me tremendously.”
Meanwhile, Malisa Douglas, a city postwoman of 12 years, shared her views as well.
“It is wonderful for me, my whole family, my colleague and everyone. So, to the President, thank you.”
Another public servant, Calvin Christie, said that he was enjoying added dollars. “It is a very good thing that the government do. It is a very good increase towards the public servants and others,” Christie emphasised.
Meanwhile, Nicola Harry, who resides in Wakenaam, was taking advantage of the deals within the city. Taking a moment out of her shopping, Harry declared, “the President did the right thing. I know a whole lot of people are looking forward to an increase. I mean it is way more than we used to have, 8.5 percent, wow! That’s a whole lot; we’re going to have a blessed Christmas.”
Public servant Henrick Henricks called on all citizens to be proud of the increases saying that “as a Guyanese, it is something that people would be happy about.”
How do you plan to put the increase to good use?
For Burke, the salary bump will allow her to give to others. “I like purchasing gifts so I have a few friends I want to give some gifts to and then I must give back to charity,” the teacher commented.
And according to Christie, the dream of owning his property was now within reach.
“With this extra money that come in, I will be able to put it towards my land and start doing a little saving towards my future,” he stated.
Harry explained that her salary would be spent on the things she needed while Henricks said it would help him meet his commitments toward his six children and his elderly father.
The government on November 13 announced the salary increases with public servants within the $64,200 to $99,999 salary scale receiving a 9 percent increase and a climb in the minimum wage to $70,000.
Public sector workers in the $100,000 to 999,000 brackets received an 8.5 percent increase while those earning above that received a 3 percent increase.
President Granger in announcing the news said salary and wage increases had positively impacted the performance of public servants themselves, their households and the national economy.
“Public Servants have received annual increases in their wages and salaries consistently since 2015. Personal allowances have increased significantly, the income-tax rate was reduced, and the tax on employee’s contribution to NIS was removed, over the last four years,” the Guyanese leader stated in his address to the nation.