President Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Thursday, announced the first round of salary adjustments for public servants. According to him, some 8,000 members of the disciplined services will benefit, adding over $1 billion to the local economy.
These adjustments take effect from January 1, 2023.
It adds to the eight per cent, across-the-board increase for public servants, announced last week by the Head of State. In the coming days, the Head of State said further categories of workers will see their salaries adjusted.
The adjustments for members of the Joint Services are as follows:
The Guyana Police Force:
Constables will now have their current minimum salary adjusted upwards from $94,901 to $102,488, representing an additional 8 per cent on the current minimum salary paid to these officers.
Constables with five to 10 years of experience will now receive a salary of no less than $110,000 and those with 10+ years of experience, a salary of no less than $115,000.
Lance corporal salaries will be adjusted from $108,719 to $115,000, an additional 5.8 per cent increase. Lance corporals with ten years will now get $125,000.
Corporals with five to 10 years experience will now receive, no less than #130,000 while those with 10+ years of experience, no less than $135,000.
Sergeants will see their salaries move from $128,056 to $140,000, representing a 9.3 per cent increase. Those with five to 10 years of experience, will receive no less than $145,000 while those with more than 10 years of experience, no less than 150,000
Inspectors’ salaries will increase from $163,000 to $170,000; those with five and more years of experience will get no less than $175,000.
For Chief Inspectors, their current minimum salary now moves to $180,000, while for those with more than five years of experience, a minimum of $185,000
The current minimum salary for cadet officers will move from $171, 224 to $185,000.
Assistant Superintendents will see their salaries moving from $188,978 to $200,000, a 5.8 per cent increase; Deputy Superintendent salaries’ will move from $188,978 to $230,000 – a 21.7 per cent increase.
For Superintendents, their $200,299 salary moves to $240,000 – an additional 19.8 per cent increase. Senior Superintendents will see their salaries move from $296,269 to $320,000 – an 8 per cent increase
Assistant Commissioners will now get $425,000, an increase from their $418,518 current salary.
Finally, the salaries for rural constables will increase from $75,203 to $85,000, while neighbourhood police officers will see increases from $84,387 to $95,000.
Guyana Fire Service:
Salaries for firemen/firewomen with five to 10 years of experience will increase from $102,488 to $110,000, while those with more than 10 years of experience will receive no less than $115,000.
Salaries for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) will increase from $88,143 to $95,000, EMTs with five to 10 years’ experience will get no less than $105,000 and EMTs with more than 10 years’ experience will get no less than $110,000.
Leading firemen/ women will now get $130,000, while those with more than five years’ experience will get no less than $130,000.
Section leaders will see their salaries increase from $154,172 to $174,172; those with more than five years of experience will get no less than $174,172.
Sub-Officers will see their salaries increase from $154,181 to $174, 181, while Sub- Officers with 5+ years of experience, will get no less than $174,181.
Additionally, Cadet Officers will see increases from $171, 938 to $185,000, while those with 5+ years of experience, no less than $185,000.
Station officers will now get $260,000, an increase from their $251,639 salary; Station Officers with 5+ years’ experience will get no less than $260,000.
Divisional Officers will now see their salaries increase from $337, 364 to $345,000.
Guyana Defence Force:
The salaries for Recruits will increase from $94,485 to $100,000, while Recruits with 5+ years’ experience will now get no less than $100,000.
Salaries for Privates will increase from $94,771 to $102,488; Privates with 5 to 10 years’ experience will get no less than 110,000; and those with 10+ years’ experience will get no less than $115,000.
My hat goes out to His Excellency President Mohamed Irfaan Ali for agreeing to increase the salaries of the officers of the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Defence Force and the Guyana Fire Service. This will undoubtedly boos their morale and bring smiles to their faces.