In addition, he reported that further increases ranging between six and ten percent have been approved for unqualified teachers in two categories whose salaries fall below the minimum wage in the traditional Public Service.

The HPS also announced that a five percent increase has been granted to chauffeurs, maids, gardeners, and certain categories of employees attached to the President, Prime Minister, Ministers of the Government and other holders of constitutional office.

The increase is retroactive to January 1, 2002.
Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr Roger Luncheon announced that Cabinet at its final session for this year has approved an across the board salary increase for teachers retroactive to January 1, 2002.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon made this disclosure at his weekly post-Cabinet press conference yesterday following the final Cabinet session for this year.

Dr. Luncheon said that next Monday will be declared a National Day of Mourning and that the State funeral will take place at Public Buildings at 13:30 hours where there will be a special ceremony involving dignitaries, members of the diplomatic corps, state and other officials.

The HPS said that the Government has expressed full support for the arrangements of the funeral and announced that Public Servants desirous of viewing the body which will take place from 09:00 hours at the Square of the Revolution will be given time-off to do so. A circular to the effect has already been sent to the various governmental agencies and ministries, he added.

The body of the late former President will be interned at the Seven Ponds in the Botanical Gardens where former President L.F.S Burnham and the first Governor-General Sir David Rose have been interned.

Mr. Hoyte became Leader of the PNC and Executive President of Guyana in August 1985, following the passing of the then President L.F.S Burnham. He remained in office until 1992 when he was succeeded by the leader of the People's Progressive Party, Dr Cheddi Jagan as President following the October, 1992 general elections.

Since then Mr. Hoyte remained the leader of the PNC/R and Leader of the Opposition.