8% pay rise: We’ll reopen negotiations if economic conditions worsen – NAGRAT warns
The President of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Jacob Anaba, says organised labour may return to the negotiating table over the eight per cent base pay increase for public sector workers in 2027 if economic conditions change during the year.
Jacob Anaba, President of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), warned on Monday that organized labor may negotiate again about the eight percent base pay increase for public sector workers in 2027 if economic conditions deteriorate. Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, Mr. Anaba stated that organized labor had already communicated to the government and the Minister of Finance that fluctuations affecting workers’ purchasing power could trigger fresh negotiations on the agreed pay adjustment.
The upcoming increase must be evaluated against the cost of living, particularly rising fuel prices and the cost of food, Anaba emphasized. The labor leader cited fuel prices and everyday meal expenses as examples of economic pressures on workers, questioning the relationship between maize prices and the cost of essential food items like kenkey, pepper, and fish.
Anaba stressed that salary hikes might not lead to improved living standards if the cost of basic meals continues to rise. He recalled former President John Agyekum Kufuor's comment, "we are pretending to be paying the worker and the work is also pretending to work," highlighting the unsustainability of the current situation. Anaba urged stakeholders to collaborate in resolving the underlying challenges, stating that it was not in the country's best interest.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
