The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority in Parliament has expressed dissatisfaction with the 10% wage increase for public sector workers.
It described the wage increase as inadequate in the face of rising costs of living due to increasing prices of food items and other commodities in the country.
Government announced the wage adjustment following negotiations between the Labour Unions and President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday, February 20, 2024.
However, the Minority argued that the increment falls short of providing meaningful financial relief for public sector employees.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament in Accra on Friday, February 21, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin highlighted past salary increments to emphasize the inadequacy of the latest adjustment.
“In 2017, public sector workers enjoyed a 12.5% increase in pay. In 2018, they enjoyed 11%, in 2020 there was a 15% increase, and in 2021 there was a 4% plus an interim premium of 15%. In 2022, there was a 15% Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) on the base salary.
“In 2023, there was a 30% increase, and in 2024, there was a 23% increase between January and June and 25% from July to December. Now, we are facing just a 10% increment. The leader of government business must take note and inform the President that these are the numbers he came to meet.
“The ordinary Ghanaian worker has a higher expectation in this 24-hour economy. They have a legitimate expectation that President Mahama will do better. The 10% is unacceptable,” Mr. Afenyo-Markin pointed out.
Meanwhile, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga praised the Labour Unions’ acceptance of the 10% salary increase, describing it as an endorsement of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.
Mr. Ayariga argued that the agreement reflects workers’ confidence in the administration’s economic policies and commitment to improving livelihoods.
“The workers of this country, led by their leaders, gladly accepted the 10% increase. Accepting a 10% increment as against 25% is a vote of confidence in the leader because they have confidence that President John Mahama, when he collects the tax, will not be flying and bathing in the air,” he said.
