In the ongoing negotiations with the government, Organised Labour has suggested a base pay increase of over 75% for the year 2024, aiming to address the escalating cost of living in the country.
As discussions began on Monday, November 13, reports indicate that the labour union initially settled for a 60% base pay increment. However, the government has put forward a proposal for only a 15% increase.
Commenting on the situation during an interview on Joy FM’s Newsnight on Monday, November 13, Joshua Ansah, the Deputy General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), revealed that despite Labour’s willingness to compromise at 60%, the government rejected the proposal.
“When we tabled the 75.1 %, government came with 10% … that is why we reviewed our stance to 60%,” he explained.
He expressed the hope that meaningful progress would occur during the negotiation session on Tuesday, November 14, emphasizing that the labor union would convene to strategize and determine their fallback position.
In response to whether an agreement could be reached before the 2024 budget reading, Mr. Ansah asserted that the budget’s timing should not pressure labor into accepting any proposal from the government.
On the same program, Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Bright Wireko-Brobby, urged the labor union to reconsider the percentage increase they are seeking.
He acknowledged the government’s understanding of the labor union’s challenges but emphasized the government’s commitment to avoiding agreements they cannot fulfill.
He said “We are praying for them to accept something that will not break the back of the government. For me, I cannot give a figure to you now but we are working with them”he noted.