HGP Nightly News – Hundreds of workers attached to the Georgetown Mayor and City Council will receive a $40,000 cash bonus in time for the new year, offering timely relief as household expenses continue to climb.
Mayor Alfred Mentore announced on Tuesday that the City Council has approved a one-off payment for all 483 municipal employees, with the bonus to be paid on or before December 31, 2025.
Speaking before the 30-member Council, Mentore said the decision followed a close review of City Hall’s finances and reflected a deliberate effort to support workers during a difficult economic period.
“We made some decisions last year to provide a one-off bonus for everyone, and we have decided to do that this year as well,” the Mayor said. “We have since approved a $40,000 one-off bonus to every staff member of this council so that they could have that to use for their Christmas, and we ask that the monies be paid by the 31st December.”
Mentore said the payout is intended to cushion the impact of the rising cost of living, particularly for lower-paid workers who have felt the strain most acutely.
City officials explained that the bonus follows consultations with the Guyana Labour Union and the Guyana Local Government Officers Union, which represent the Council’s workforce.
During discussions last week, the Guyana Labour Union had pushed for a one-month salary bonus. However, the Mayor said City Hall is not currently in a position to meet that demand.
“While we are looking at something that is favourable or workable, one month is a little difficult for us to treat with at least at this time,” Mentore explained.
Despite the limitation, both the City Council and the unions have signalled that talks will continue, with negotiations expected to focus on broader improvements to wages and benefits going forward.
For now, the approved $40,000 bonus delivers a concrete and immediate boost for more than 400 workers, closing out the year with a measure of financial relief from City Hall.
