The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) yesterday joined the global community to mark the United Nations (UN) International Day of Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the gender pay gap and promoting equal pay for work of equal value.
Commemorated annually on September 18, this year’s celebration is on the theme, ‘Equal Pay for Equal Work Value.’
In a statement to mark the day in Accra, the FWSC said as a vital player in public sector wage management, it actively works towards implementing policies that support transparent and equitable pay structures.
“Equal Pay Day serves as a crucial reminder to the Commission of the importance of addressing pay disparities and ensuring that every worker in public sector is compensated fairly for their work,” said the statement signed by the Head of Public Relations, Emelia Ennin.
It indicated that the country’s Constitution and labor laws frown upon such practices.
“The 1992 Constitution and Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) protects the right to fair remuneration and equal pay for work of equal value…Section 68 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) enforces the issue of equal pay, stipulating that every worker shall receive equal pay for equal work without distinction of any kind,” it said.
The FWSC also launched a social media campaign featuring staff members expressing their thoughts on the issue of equal pay.
Chief Executive of the FWSC, Ing Benjamin Arthur, said the country has a good pay structure that prevented gender pay disparity and could serve as an example for other countries.
“When it comes to evaluating jobs, we do not refer to gender. We consider what you have been hired to do, the value of your work and how you should be remunerated.
These are the key areas we focus on. You will not hear a female teacher complaining about being paid less than her male counterpart,” he said.
He reiterated the FWSC is committed to promoting and enforcing fair wages and salaries in the public sector and also recognise that achieving pay equity requires continuous effort and collaboration.
A Daily Guide Report