The Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union of the Trades Union Congress (TEWU of TUC-Ghana) is calling for a 50 per cent base pay rise as it heads into salary negotiations with the government.
According to TEWU, only a substantial pay rise can restore fairness and cushion workers against the prevailing economic pressures.
National Chairperson, Salamatu Mahamah Braimah, said the union expects a significant improvement in workers’ conditions, stressing that rising living costs, utility tariffs, and increased fuel prices have significantly eroded the real value of workers’ salaries, hence the demand.
“We are selling our labour, and as you know, each time things change, it means that our working conditions must change as well. So we are going into these negotiations with the mindset that there will be an improvement in the base pay.
“I think the minimum will be 50%. So even if the government gives us 100%, we will say thank you, Mr. Government or Mr. President and walk away,” she said.
Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, Dr. Rashid Pelpuo, acknowledged the concerns raised and said the government would review the proposal carefully.
He expressed hope that any agreement reached will reflect both the needs of workers and the state’s financial capacity.
He assured that the government will carefully assess the proposal as part of ongoing negotiations with organised labour.
A Daily Guide Report