In the quest to enable workers to meet the high cost of living in the country, Organised Labour is demanding a 60% increase in base pay for the 2024 as negotiations with the government ended inconclusively on the first day yesterday.
Organised Labour initially proposed a 75.1% increment, while government started off with a 10% offer, but labour reviewed its figure to 70%, and then 60% when government adjusted its offer to 15%.
According to sources at the meeting, organised labour is determined to secure a higher increment to cushion workers against growing economic difficulties, but the government side is prevailing on labour to manage its expectations due to the budget constraints to government is grappling with.
They sides return to the negotiation table today to hopefully reach a middle ground.
Commenting after Monday’s negotiations, Deputy General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Joshua Ansah, organised labour would re-strategise and decide on their fallback position for today’s meeting, hoping that “something worthwhile happens on the negotiation table.”
Meanwhile, Bright Wireko-Brobbey, Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, is appealing to organised labour to reconsider the percentage increase they’re demanding.
According to him, the government shares in the plight of the labour union, however, the government would not want to reach an agreement it cannot fulfil.
“We are praying for them to accept something that will not break the back of the government,” he noted.
