The Minority in Parliament has criticised the government’s decision to raise public sector salaries by 9 per cent, describing it as a “massive betrayal” of Ghanaian workers facing worsening economic hardship.
In a statement signed by Ranking Member on the Employment, Labour Relations and Pensions Committee, Mavis Nkansah Boadu, the Minority said the 9 per cent increment is “not only economically inadequate but a clear demonstration of government’s insensitivity to the daily struggles of ordinary Ghanaian workers.”
They noted that in the past ten months, “transport fares, utility tariffs, fuel prices, and the general cost of goods and services have increased astronomically.”
The Afigya Sekyere East MP’s statement added that 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 Minority said.
The statement compared the current increment to those under the Nana Akufo-Addo administration, pointing out that “public sector workers enjoyed considerably higher lifts in salary increment” during that period.
“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,” the statement explained. While acknowledging that economic conditions have changed, the Minority argued that “the stark drop from such double-digit increments into single-digit shows a broken promise to workers.”
They described the current single-digit increase as “shameful,” saying it comes at a time when the government claims the economy is recovering.
“The 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?” the statement questioned.
The Minority also criticised the government’s broader fiscal management, saying, “This administration cannot continue to tax more, borrow more, spend more, and then compensate workers with less.” According to the Afigya Sekyere East MP, “Salary adjustments must be based on the real cost of living, not political optics.”
The Minority called on the government to reopen negotiations with Organised Labour and propose what it called “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,” they 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,” the statement concluded.
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