The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) has addressed concerns raised by the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG), following the group’s announcement of a nationwide strike scheduled to begin on Thursday, 7 November 2024.

CLOGSAG recently issued a press release expressing dissatisfaction with ongoing negotiations and a demand for a new salary structure and improved conditions of service. In response, the FWSC outlined the following points to clarify the government’s position and current progress on the matter.

The FWSC stated that CLOGSAG initially submitted its demand for a revised salary structure to the Senior Presidential Advisor’s Office, which led to the establishment of a Technical Committee comprising government representatives and CLOGSAG members. This committee has since been working to review and discuss CLOGSAG’s proposals. According to the FWSC, CLOGSAG’s July 2024 communique acknowledged that the government was committed to resolving the relevant salary structure issues.

The government has explored alternatives to address CLOGSAG’s demands without disrupting the existing Single Spine Pay Policy, referencing a 2011 High Court ruling which prohibits CLOGSAG from opting out of this pay structure. In recent discussions on 30 October, the government team presented an alternative proposal to address CLOGSAG’s concerns, which they subsequently formalised in writing on the same day at CLOGSAG’s request. However, the FWSC states that CLOGSAG has yet to respond to this proposal.

FWSC further highlighted that CLOGSAG bypassed FWSC’s formal processes by directly submitting demands through the Senior Presidential Advisor, a move the Commission described as undermining its mandate. The FWSC Act 2007 (Act 737) designates FWSC as the official body to handle government pay policies. In addition, FWSC noted instances where CLOGSAG has dismissed FWSC’s Chief Executive, Ing. Benjamin Arthur, by refusing to attend scheduled meetings and allegedly making verbal attacks, thus showing disregard for the Commission’s role.

Despite these setbacks, FWSC emphasised the government’s willingness to continue discussions with CLOGSAG and encouraged the association to abandon its strike plans, citing the importance of collaborative dialogue in finding a mutually acceptable solution.

The FWSC urged CLOGSAG to return to the negotiation table to achieve a timely resolution of their grievances, stressing that solutions can be reached within the framework of the Single Spine Pay Policy.