Ghana Employment Ministry commences 2015 wage negotiations

Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, has announced the commencement of negotiations of the 2015 base pay and daily minimum wage.

He said the negotiations commenced on January 13, with the Public Services Joint Standing Negotiating Committee chaired by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission.

He said other bodies, including organised labour, Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress, leadership of the Public Services Workers Union and other observers were present to participate in the negotiation.

Mr Iddrisu said it is necessary to keep the public informed about new projects and developments after every discussion and consultation as part of the public accountability process.

He said it is the expectation of government to conclude negotiations much earlier than was the case in previous years in order to get the Controller and Accountant General to facilitate payment of the determined base pay and daily minimum wage.

“I believe it is important for both partners thus government and labour to appreciate legitimate concerns and needs of organised labour and their demands against constraints and capacity of the budget to contain whatever they may be demanding,” he noted.

Mr Iddrisu said that is why ability to pay is always a function of the negotiation process.

He said it is necessary to recognise the contribution of labour to enhance productivity and to also be mindful of inflationary trends in the country.

“It is the determination of government to work with labour to contain the wage bill. As a Ministry, our determination remains on the fact that improved and better economy fortunes will be better shared by both government and labour,” he added.

Source: GNA