UG Vice Chancellor gets money to personally hire own housekeeper

Last Updated on Friday, 13 March 2015, 19:26 by GxMedia

Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Jacob Opadeyi  is being paid monies for a housekeeper that he has to find until  his employment contract ends next year February, according to a leaked document.

Seen by Demerara Waves Online News, the internal recommendation by the Personnel Department to the University Council states that GUY$72,048 dollars-inclusive of basic salary, NIS contribution and transportation allowance- should be paid to the Vice Chancellor so that he can hire and employ a housekeeper of his choice.

That arrangement was expected to be in place from September 5, 2014 to February 10, 2016 when his contract ends.

The last Housekeeper hired by the University of Guyana was fired on September 4, 2014. Prior to then, the university’ administration noted that the Vice Chancellor “has had difficulties finding suitable persons for the position of Housekeeper.

Under the new arrangement, Opadeyi would be responsible for the payment of all deductions to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

During a recent strike, President of the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA), Dr. Melissa Ifill had pointed out that “the salaries of the handful of senior executive are reportedly 9% of the overall salary bill of the University.”

The Vice Chancellor’s monthly salary is reportedly more than GUY$1.5 million.

The Vice Chancellor has been in hot water in recent weeks over a pay-dispute that had resulted in a five-week long crippling strike.  Having received a commitment for an interim 10 percent pay increase and the provision of adequate stationery, computers, ventilation and equipment, they have returned to work pending the outcome of the talks.