The Deputy Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, Bright Wireko Brobbey has said that the recently approved 15% Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) is expected to hit the accounts of public sector workers by the end of August.

According to him, the Finance Ministry gave the green light for the payment of COLA during a tripartite meeting held on Tuesday among the key stakeholders. 

Speaking to JoyNews, Mr. Brobbey said that “the assurance is that from the end of this month the payment will commence. So let's all take it that by the end of August public sector workers will see COLA as part of their income.”

This comes after demands for COLA resulted in weeks of labour agitation and industrial actions leaving the government to commit to paying workers 15% of their salaries. 

The workers had argued that worsening economic conditions had rendered their current salaries inadequate. 

The government and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission managed to beat down the 20% demand to 15% effective July 1.

However, workers are yet to receive the money.

General Secretary of the Public Services Workers Union, Bernard Adjei, has said he expects the government to implement its promise in this month’s payment window. 

Meanwhile, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission says it has successfully completed drafting modalities for the payment of the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) to all public sector workers.

Chief Executive of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, Benjamin Arthur, told JoyNews that payment will commence soon.

“We are certain that government will implement it. So nobody should have doubts. As soon as possible. Realizing the money in your pocket, we are working on the schedule, and I am sure, maybe in about two weeks to three weeks’ time, government will come out public with the exact date.

“That has been done “modalities” and it will have to be communicated to organized labour.”