Nine percent pay rise inadequate, insensitive – Minority

The Minority in Parliament has described government’s announcement of a 9% salary increment for public sector worker as “economically inadequate” and “a clear demonstration of government’s insensitivity to the daily struggles of ordinary Ghanaian workers.”

A statement signed on behalf of the Minority Caucus by Mavis Nkansah Boadu, Ranking Member – Committee on Employment, Labour Relations and Pensions said within “the last 10 months alone, transport fares, utility tariffs, fuel prices, and the general cost of goods and services have increased astronomically. Inflation continues to erode disposable incomes, while the cedi remains unstable. In such a climate, a mere 9% increment is not only insignificant; it is punitive to hardworking Ghanaians who continue to bear the brunt of the Government’s fiscal indiscipline.”

The statement argued that under the previous administration of the Nana Akufo Addo-led government, public sector workers enjoyed considerably higher lifts in salary increment.

“In 2024 the base salary was increased by averagely 24%. It was increased by approximately 30% in 2023. Prior to that, during earlier years, the increments ranged from about 11% in 2018, 10% in 2019, 15% in 2020 and about 4% plus a 15% interim premium in 2021.

“While we recognize the economic environment has changed, the stark drop from such double digit increments into single-digit shows a broken promise to workers”, it noted,

The Caucus noted further that the current single-digit salary increase is shameful, especially considering that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government managed to give public sector workers better salary increases even during the COVID-19 pandemic, when global revenues were low. How can the Government justify offering far less now, when the economy is supposedly recovering?

“This administration cannot continue to tax more, borrow more, spend more, and then compensate workers with less. Salary adjustments must be based on the real cost of living, not political optics.

“We, therefore, call upon the government to reopen the negotiations with Organized Labour and propose a realistic increment matching the current levels of inflation and consumer prices. Anything less than this will be economic injustice for the people whose productivity is driving the nation every day”, the Minority statement added.

It said the Minority remains committed to speaking for the voiceless, protecting the welfare of workers, and ensuring that public policy remains anchored on fairness, equity, and sustainability.