The People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) has declared its full support for the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) and the nation’s educators in rejecting the government’s proposed 10 per cent salary increase for 2024, alongside the planned 8 per cent for 2025 and 9 per cent for 2026.
The party in a public statement today, described the offer as an insult to teachers, criticising the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) for failing to meet the demands of educators despite the country’s significant oil wealth. The opposition party drew attention to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo’s previous stance in 2018 when, as opposition leader, he advocated for a 40 per cent -50 percent salary increase for teachers. Now, as part of the government, the PNC/R accuses Jagdeo and the PPP of reneging on those commitments and instead offering what it considers “meaningless” increments.
The opposition also dismissed Jagdeo’s claims that the GTU’s rejection of the offer was politically motivated, driven by GTU General Secretary Coretta McDonald. The party labelled such assertions as hypocritical, arguing that the government’s proposal fails to address the soaring cost of living in the country.
Highlighting the disparity between the government’s wealth and its treatment of public servants, the PNC/R stated that the PPP would rather sustain corruption than invest in the welfare of the nation’s teachers. The party affirmed that the GTU’s counter-offer is both reasonable and affordable, urging the government to reconsider its position.
Looking ahead, the PNC/R vowed that under its leadership, teachers and public servants would receive retroactive compensation and enjoy livable wages, reflecting the value of the nation’s human resources. The opposition party reiterated its commitment to ensuring that future policies will prioritise the well-being of educators and public sector employees.
