Organised Labour is urging calm among workers disappointed by the government’s announcement of a nine percent increase in base pay for public sector employees.
Labour leaders say while they had hoped for a higher adjustment, they are prepared to push for a cost-of-living allowance (COLA) from 2026 if inflation and other economic conditions worsen.
The government on Sunday, November 9, announced a nine percent salary increase for workers on the Single Spine Salary Structure following negotiations with Organised Labour. The new pay adjustment will take effect from January 2026.
However, many workers have expressed dissatisfaction, arguing that the increase falls short of addressing the rising cost of living. Some have also criticised labour leaders for failing to secure what they describe as a “better deal.”
Deputy Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Dr. Kwabena Nyarko Otoo, has appealed for calm, assuring workers that the unions will continue to advocate for fair compensation.
“Government’s projection is that overall inflation will hit six percent, while the Bank of Ghana projects around eight percent,” Dr. Otoo explained. “The wage increases we negotiate are normally within a certain framework, and the dominant figure within that framework is inflation.”
He added that labour would not hesitate to push for additional support if economic indicators worsen.
“Anytime we are going for wage increases and we see inflation going down, it means we are not likely to get any better. But going into 2026, if the indicators begin to rise, we will demand a cost-of-living allowance,” he said.
Dr. Otoo also disclosed that government persuaded Organised Labour to accept the nine percent increase, citing constraints under the ongoing IMF programme.
General Secretary of the Teachers and Education Workers’ Union (TEWU), King James Azortibah, confirmed that the unions agreed to the increase on the condition that government approves their pending conditions of service.
“After accepting the nine percent, though it is woefully inadequate, we also asked government to approve our conditions of service, which the Finance Minister agreed to,” Mr. Azortibah stated.
He further urged government to prioritise the recruitment of more personnel into the public sector to improve efficiency and reduce workload pressures.
