Accra, March 17, – Organised Labour has urged the Government to implement a comprehensive national incomes policy to tackle wage inequities and low salaries across the public sector.
The call was made by Mr Joshua Ansah, Secretary-General of the Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC), during a presidential dialogue with labour unions in Accra.
“We must move beyond piecemeal salary adjustments to a policy that ensures workers and their families earn a living wage,” Mr. Ansah said, highlighting that the current daily minimum wage of GH¢21.78 (about GH¢588 per month) is insufficient for basic living costs.
He pointed to unequal pay within the public sector, noting that while around 80 per cent of workers on the single spine structure receive allowances, the remaining 20 per cent rely solely on base pay.
Organised Labour also called for pension reforms, citing wide disparities in retirement benefits, with monthly pensions ranging from GH¢400 to over GH¢200,000, which they described as unsustainable.
The unions warned that delays by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and the Ministry of Finance in negotiating service conditions could spark further industrial action.
Supporting the call, Dr George Smith-Graham, CEO of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, acknowledged structural flaws in the current pay system, noting that inconsistencies and multiple allowances have weakened the Single Spine Salary Structure.
“Structural reforms are urgently needed to ensure fairness and reduce labour disputes,” he said, adding that industrial actions had cost the economy GH¢1.47 billion in 2024 and GH¢635 million in 2025.
The dialogue formed part of Government’s broader engagement with labour unions on public sector reforms and employment conditions. Meanwhile, CLOGSAG announced the suspension of its strike after assurances that members’ concerns would be addressed.
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