Organised labour unions have reviewed their request of a 60 per cent base pay increment to 58 per cent.
This was revealed at the fifth meeting between the government and the organised labour unions in Accra on Tuesday, December 13, 2022.
Previously, the unions proposed a 60 per cent base pay increment, but the government revised it to an 8 per cent increment.
During subsequent meetings, the government decided to increase the figure to 15 per cent, which the unions rejected.
On Wednesday, November 30, 2022, the unions met with the government again on the same base pay increment.
At the meeting, the labour unions changed their proposed 60 per cent demand to a 65 per cent base pay increment request.
But the government refused to accept the changes, which brought the meeting to an inconclusive end.
At the meeting yesterday, the Deputy Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, Bright Wireko-Brobby, indicated that the meeting was successful and conclusive compared to other meetings held with the unions.
” Today, the meeting was good, and you could feel a sense of negotiation. Organised labour has reviewed their position for the first time. They have moved downwards, from 60 per cent to 58 per cent, and that has gladdened our hearts. We still feel that they are still up and where they are, it is still difficult to make a proposal. We have both agreed to adjourn the meeting and reconvene next week, which is December 20, 2022, by which time both parties will continue to review their stands, and that is why I am happy that for the first time, we have really shown enthusiasm for both parties to negotiate” he noted.
The Deputy General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Joshua Ansah, addressing the media on the reviewed base pay rate, said, “All the time, people think we are insensitive, and we want to prove to Ghanaians and other people working in the country that we are not insensitive. We have asked for a genuine proposal, and we think as time goes on, we have to move forward. We need to make progress, and the progress is that we need to actually consult. After consultation, we have agreed to our proposal of 60 per cent should be reviewed to 58 per cent, and that is what happened today, but the government is still at 18 per cent, which we are not accepting”.
The government and the unions are hoping for a conclusive negotiation on a fixed rate at the next meeting between both parties.