The Minority in Parliament has criticized the 10% salary increase for public sector workers, arguing that it is insufficient given the rising cost of living.
The wage adjustment was announced after negotiations between the Labour Union and President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday, February 20, 2024.
However, the Minority contends that the increment does little to provide meaningful financial relief for public sector employees.
Addressing Parliament on Friday, February 21, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin compared past salary increments to highlight the inadequacy of the latest adjustment.
“In 2017, public sector workers received a 12.5% increase. In 2018, they had 11%, followed by 15% in 2020 and 4% plus an interim premium of 15% in 2021. In 2022, there was a 15% Cost of Living Allowance (COLA). In 2023, salaries increased by 30%, and in 2024, there was a 23% rise from January to June and 25% from July to December. Now, we are facing just a 10% increment,” he stated.
Afenyo-Markin argued that Ghanaians expect better under the proposed 24-hour economy.
Meanwhile, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga welcomed the Labour Union’s acceptance of the 10% increase, describing it as an endorsement of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government’s policies.
“The workers of this country, led by their leaders, gladly accepted the 10% increase. Accepting 10% as against 25% is a vote of confidence in the leader because they trust that President John Mahama, when he collects the tax, will not be flying and bathing in the air,” he stated.
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