Audio By Carbonatix
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has reiterated its resolve to kick against any government policy to freeze wage increases in the face of worsening economic conditions.
Secretary General of the TUC, Kofi Asamoah told Joy News' Jefferson Sackey that while the Congress appreciates the economic difficulty and government's attempt to revive it, it would not accept increase wage freeze as the best option.
Government has hinted of a possible freeze in wage increases as part of measures to curtail the ballooning budget deficit.
In a recent statement on the state of the economy and plans to revive it, the Finance Minister Seth Terkper told Members of Parliament the plans by government to rationalize the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS).
The plan is part of a wider reform to keep public sector salaries within acceptable range.
Government has said the SSSS takes 70 per cent of government revenue, an amount government believes is unsustainable and therefore, the need to reduce expenditure on wages.
But the TUC, in a statement said government's plans to freeze salary increases are insensitive to the plight of Ghanaians.
"We want to draw attention to the fact that over the period, in government's attempt to halt the economic decline has brought about some measures. Measures including the removal of subsidies from fuel and utilities, the increase of VAT from 15 to 17.5, which has led to ever increasing inflation and also the fact that the national currency has seen some depreciation over the period," Kofi Asamoah later told Joy News.
He said the cumulative effect of all these policies have brought about increased hardships to Ghanaian workers.
"Putting all these measures together at a ago and asking that wages and salaries should remain the same is [unacceptable]," he stated.
Kofi Asamoah said the wage freeze announcement by the Minister on the Floor of Parliament was inconsistent with discussions that had gone on with stakeholders.
"Inflation is 14 per cent and you say salary should remain the same. In the mist of all these, we can't talk about wage freeze", he noted.
Latest Stories
-
Pan Africa AU Agenda 2063 Mission, IAWPA hold Africa Day Leadership Summit in Accra
3 minutes -
Akatsi North MP calls for more teacher recruitment as district commissions new projects
5 minutes -
Paternity Fraud Laws in Ghana: A balanced alternative to Compulsory Paternity Testing at Birth
17 minutes -
Flooding in Accra: Over 30 Years of Doing Nothing
38 minutes -
TI Ghana, GIPC intensify media campaign against fronting in business sector
39 minutes -
“I suffered beatings, look at my marks” – Evacuated Ghanaian recounts alleged xenophobic attack in South Africa
60 minutes -
Afanyi Dadzie Writes: Xenophobia, illegal migration and the hard truths we must face as Ghanaians
1 hour -
The NPP can only secure victory in 2028 with the right leadership choices at every level of the party
2 hours -
When Memory Dies: South Africa’s Convenient Amnesia
2 hours -
MTN Ghana urges women to prioritise emotional wellness at Mmaa Nkomo event
2 hours -
We will always stand by Ghanaians everywhere — Chief of Staff assures evacuees from South Africa
2 hours -
“Don’t mess around with Ghanaians anywhere in the world” — Ablakwa warns
2 hours -
KetaFC alleges bias and interference in Volta Regional Middle League protest
2 hours -
Gov’t will always protect and support Ghanaians abroad – Ablakwa
3 hours -
“Don’t be depressed, have confidence” — Ablakwa encourages evacuees from South Africa
3 hours