Partnership for National Unity presidential candidate David Granger has promised Guyana Public Service Union members that, should his party win the national election, he will modernise the public service and offer better opportunities for its members.
Speaking at the union’s general council meeting on July 15, Granger said he is disappointed that information technology is not an integral part of the functioning of the public service. He has promised to offer better remuneration, education opportunities, and fewer burdens on public servants.
Among the main issues raised by members attending the meeting were the Value Added Tax (VAT) and Pay as You Earn Tax (PAYE). Granger said he cannot promise to take away the taxes, because of their benefits, but he would try to lower them, as taxes are necessary to pay state employees.
He went on to say that he is not familiar with the specifics of VAT and PAYE, but he feels that the taxes need to be taken back to the drawing board and a ” basket of needs, including rent and food and clothing,” be considered and made VAT-free to assist with the tax burden.
Addressing the allegation of PS employees accepting bribes, Granger said that the employees accepting bribes are not to be blamed, but it is actually the system which has taken away the “innocence” of the PS employees and has made them criminals, because they do not have a satisfactory pay.
Additionally, he said his government would review the conditions of service of public servants in terms of service, salary, restore the Public Service Tribunal, and review their rights to collective bargaining and promotions within the sector. Among those attending the statutory meeting were nurses and other categories of public service employees. One of the issues raised by the president of the Nurses Branch of the Georgetown Public Hospital was the non-flexibility of time for nurses who have busy personal lives and children. The president said that nurses were frequently given memos for losing hours and days of work. She added that the work was demanding and the remuneration was not enough. She added that she would like Granger to address the need for nurses to have bonuses like the police and the Guyana Defence Force.
