President announces $25,000 one-off grant for public servants, sugar workers

President Irfaan Ali on Thursday afternoon announced a one-off grant of $25,000 to all public servants and sugar workers.

The President in a video announcement said the grants will “assist these workers to cope with the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The total cost of the grants is in excess of $2B and will directly benefit over 60,000 workers and their families, he noted.

Those in line for benefits will be persons employed by central Government, statutory bodies, subvention agencies, public corporations, Government pensioners and staff of the University of Guyana.

The assistance will also extend to current workers of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) according to Dr. Ali. He added that “those sugar workers who were unconsciously deprived of their livelihood by the APNU+AFC Government will in the new year be provided with transitional as we continue to restructure the industry in keeping with the PPPC’s promise.

The Government is currently rolling out a $25,000 cash grant initiative which is available to each household across the country. In addition, the President previously announced a two-weeks bonus for healthcare workers and members of the Guyana Police Force and Guyana Defence Force.