A sharp divide has emerged in Parliament over the recently announced 10% salary increase for public sector workers. The agreement was reached after intense negotiations between the government, led by President John Mahama, and the labour unions.
While Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has praised the Labour Union’s acceptance of the increment, the Minority has expressed strong dissatisfaction, labeling it as insufficient.
According to Ayariga, the Labour Union’s acceptance of the 10% increase is a vote of confidence in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.
“The workers of this country, led by their leaders gladly accepted the 10% increase. Accepting a 10% increment as against 25% is a vote of confidence in the leader because they have confidence that President John Mahama when he collects the tax, will not be flying and bathing in the air,” he said.
In contrast, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin argued that the 10% increase falls short of workers’ expectations. He cited past salary increments, highlighting the inadequacy of the latest adjustment.
“In 2017, public sector workers enjoyed a 12.5% increase in pay. In 2018, they enjoyed 11%, in 2020 there was a 15% increase, and in 2021 there was a 4% plus interim premium of 15%. In 2022, there was a 15% Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) on the base salary. “In 2023 there was a 30% increase and in 2024, there was a 23% between January and June and between July and December, there was a 25%. We are just ahead of an increment of 10%. The leader of government business must take note of this and inform the President that these are the numbers he came to meet.
“The ordinary Ghanaian worker has a higher expectation in this 24-hour economy. They have a legitimate expectation that President Mahama will do better. The 10% is unacceptable,” Afenyo-Markin stated.