Ken Ofori Atta, the Minister of Finance, has expressed his displeasure with the decision to raise the base pay of public employees by 30% and has stated that this will have a significant negative impact on the budget of the government.
Following a number of rounds of discussions with organized labor, the government came to an agreement to raise the base pay by thirty percent.
Earlier, the organization made a demand for a sixty percent raise as a means of making up for the difficult economic conditions.
Ignatius Baffour Awuah, the Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, has said that the payment will become effective on January 1, 2023.
While speaking to the media, the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, stated that even though the increase would have an impact on the budget, the government is dedicated to creating a calm atmosphere on the labor front regardless of the impact the increase will have on the budget.
“This is going to put a significant strain on the budget; nevertheless, I am convinced that with increased productivity and the promise that we have given to each other, it will ensure that there is peace in this nation while we look at pension and labor concerns.” [Citation needed]
Dr. Isaac Bampoe Addo, who is the Executive Secretary of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG), promised that his group would work with the government to strengthen the country’s economy and help it grow as a whole.