Labour backs proposed IPEC but demands full involvement in pay reforms
Organised labour has expressed support for the proposed Independent Public Emoluments Commission (IPEC), while calling for its continuous involvement in the process of establishing the new public sector compensation body.
Labour groups have voiced their backing for the proposed Independent Public Emoluments Commission (IPEC), but have insisted on maintaining a full role in the creation of the new public sector compensation body. This stance was revealed during a two-day stakeholder engagement organized by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) to collect feedback on the proposed IPEC legislation.
The event, themed "Towards an Independent, Equitable, and Sustainable Compensation System: Stakeholders’ Perspectives on Ghana’s Public Sector Pay Reforms," aimed to integrate the perspectives of organized labor into the draft IPEC Bill. Once enacted, the Bill will establish IPEC and replace the existing Act 737, which oversees the FWSC.
The proposed commission is anticipated to introduce a novel framework for determining and overseeing public sector compensation, with a focus on fairness, transparency, and financial prudence. Dr George Smith-Graham, Chief Executive of the FWSC, emphasized that IPEC should signify a significant transformation in public sector compensation management, rather than just a name change.
He highlighted the challenges faced under the Single Spine Pay Policy and suggested that lessons from this policy should guide the development of the new system. Dr Smith-Graham stressed that IPEC should embody the next phase of public compensation governance, aiming to establish a system with legitimacy. He underscored the significance of labor's engagement in shaping the proposed legislation, stating that government needs organized labor and does not wish to treat them merely as invitees to comment on the government's bill.
The engagement convened over 50 labor organizations, including the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), Civil and Local Government Staff Association (CLOGSAG), University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), and Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA). TUC has pledged its support for IPEC's establishment and will actively participate in the development of the proposed compensation framework.
TUC Secretary-General Joshua Ansah assured organized labor's commitment to monitoring the process and contributing inputs to ensure the commission achieves its objectives. However, Ansah cautioned against a fragmented approach to public sector pay reforms, urging the government to adopt a holistic review that addresses the entire compensation system rather than addressing individual issues separately.
He emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to ensure the fairness, transparency, and equity of the new compensation system.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
