The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) has saved Ghana a substantial GH₵345 million through a nationwide payroll monitoring exercise conducted in 2023.

Minister for Employment, Labour Relations, and Pensions, Ignatius Baffour Awuah, announced this at a press briefing on Wednesday.

The Minister explained that, the exercise focused on 120 public sector institutions, seeking to reduce the wage bill and enhance transparency in public sector employment.

The Chief Executive of FWSC, Benjamin Arthur, added that the exercise had uncovered several anomalies, minimised ghost workers on the government payroll, and enhanced the productivity of public sector workers.

“Overall, the payroll monitoring exercise has contributed to a more efficient, transparent, and accountable public sector payroll management system,” he touted.

Touching on other areas, Mr Awuah commended all stakeholders for their efforts in resolving several industrial disputes that have the potential to affect the peace and security of the country.

The Minister also mentioned that plans are underway to review key sector legislation, including the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), to make it more comprehensive and suitable for modern workplace needs.

The new Labour Bill, he said, includes reforms such as prohibiting certain actions by private employment agencies, extending maternity leave, and providing protection against violence and harassment in the workplace.

“The Ministry will continue with the work of improving the welfare of workers and employers while maintaining a peaceful labour front,” he said.

Touting the strides made by the Akufo-Addo led government within the past seven and half years, he cited strengthening the operational capacity of the Labour Department, job creation initiatives, and improvements in pension management.

He, however, cautioned jobseekers to be wary of fraudulent employment schemes, stressing that the Ministry is not a recruitment body.