GEORGETOWN – The National Association of Agricultural, Commercial, and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) Friday expressed its disappointment after the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL) offered a seven per cent wage hike to its workers. “Initially GPL said they were awaiting the pronouncements from the government which was done on Tuesday. We came to the meeting hoping to agree to the 10 per cent which was announced by the government but was not to be,” NAACIE general secretary, Dawchan Nagasar, told the online publication, News Source .

On Tuesday, the Guyana government said it had signed a two-year agreement with the Guyana Public Service Union that will result in significant salary increases and improved allowances for public servants. A government statement said that under the agreement, public servants will receive the retroactive 10 per cent salary increase effective from January 1, 2024 and that this adjustment builds on the government’s consistent efforts over the years, resulting in a cumulative 35 per cent increase in salaries over the past four years. Additionally, public servants will receive a further eight per cent 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.

Nagasar said that with teachers, sugar workers and public servants all receiving a 10 per cent across the board salary hike for this year, his members were anticipating a similar offer. The seven per cent offer has triggered threats of industrial action by the more than 1,000 GPL workers with Nagasar describing the offer as insulting.

“The government pronounced a 10 per cent increase for 2024 and an eight per cent increase for 2025, along with some in scale movements, additional increases. We at GPL are saying we are willing to accept the 10 per cent increase for 2024 across the board. However, GPL is saying seven per cent across the board and that’s how we got a breakdown in our discussions,” Nagasar said. (Jamaicaobserver)

Photo: NAACIE general secretary, Dawchan Nagasar.