Stakeholders push for fair, sustainable public sector pay system

Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo, has urged for a fair and sustainable system for determining compensation for public sector employees as Ghana establishes an Independent Public Emoluments Commission (IPEC). During a stakeholder engagement held in Accra, Dr Pelpuo emphasized that public sector pay is not merely about salaries and allowances, but also encompasses workers' livelihoods, workplace fairness, and productivity.

He stressed that workers' remuneration should be fair, decent, and reflective of their contributions to national development.

However, Dr Pelpuo cautioned that the government must ensure compensation remains financially responsible and sustainable. He highlighted the importance of taking into account economic conditions, productivity, public service performance, and the state's ability to meet financial obligations when determining compensation.

Dr Pelpuo underscored the need for social dialogue in developing the IPEC framework, describing organized labor as a critical partner in national development. He urged participants to critically examine the proposed commission's mandate, independence, composition, functions, and accountability. He also called for consideration of existing institutional arrangements, collective bargaining, and ongoing negotiations on public sector compensation.

Dr George Smith-Graham, CEO of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, stated that the stakeholder engagement did not seek approval for a pre-determined decision. He acknowledged that Ghana had made progress through the establishment of the FWSC and the introduction of the Single Spine Pay Policy but also highlighted challenges related to internal pay disparities, allowances, and conditions of service that the new system must address.

Dr Smith-Graham emphasized that fairness in compensation does not always mean treating every worker equally, but rather that differences in pay can be justified based on skills, responsibilities, working conditions, and occupational risks. He urged organized labor to become "co-architects" of the proposed system by contributing their expertise and knowledge to the process.

The Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress, Mr Joshua Ansah, welcomed the transition but called for organized labor to closely monitor the process and ensure that workers' concerns are adequately represented. He criticized the lack of adequate input from workers in the past and called for the new system to provide lasting solutions to existing pay disparities. Mr Ansah stressed that organized labor wanted to be involved at every stage of the commission's design and implementation.