23% salary increment for public sector workers commendable 

The government, according to the Controller General, has adjusted the salary of public sector workers by 23 percent, following the conclusion of negotiations on the 2024 base pay.

The Controller and Accountant General, Kwasi Kwaning-Bosompem, told the Daily Graphic that the 23 percent adjustment took effect on January 1, this year.

According to the Daily Graphic report, which we are referencing, some members of Organised Labour, including the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) have confirmed the payment of the 23 percent increase in base pay by the government.

This is good news for public sector workers, as they will be smiling to the bank to cash out their new salary, especially to start the fresh year.

The 23 percent increase, this year, also followed the 30 percent increment of the base pay on the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) across board, which was effected in 2023.

In 2010, Organised Labour managed to secure a 20 percent increment. This 30 percent is thus the highest increment secured out of negotiation with the government, since 2010.

The 30 percent increment in base pay last year also brought an end to the cost-of-living allowance (COLA) of 15 percent, which the government paid public sector workers between July and December last year.

Before the current administration came to power in 2017, the highest increment had been 12 percent, which was secured in 2017.

We commend government for the 23 percent salary increment. The Chronicle is happy that the government, even while navigating through economic crisis, found the need and resources to raise the salaries of its workers.

This is a government that is under an International Monetary Fund program with strict conditionalities. It is trite knowledge that the $3 billion Extenal Credit Facility by the IMF is not for free.

Other funds have come from the World Bank, the Afriexim Bank and other sources, most of which are loans with minimal or no interest.

Economic experts have informed us that it would take the Ghanaian economy several years to be resilient, like in the good old days, when it was growing at 7% or more to the Gross Domestic Product.

We deem it refreshing, granted that the government had no choice that the economy is now able to fulfil such a mandate, during this turbulent moments that the economy is facing.

Since the increment, beneficiaries will definitely be happy across the country. However, we would like to remind them that it is the taxes of all Ghanaians that are being used to pay them and even increase them.

The public sector workers should, therefore, exhibit a working attitude that is reflective of the salaries they are receiving.

Often times, poor work attitude of some public sector workers are mind-boggling, including reporting late to work, not putting up good customer relations and closing ahead of official time.

It is only when public sector workers dedicate themselves to their work in the interest of the nation that the public can add their voices to their ordeal.

The government, on the other hand, should continue to show full commitment towards the welfare of public sector workers to motivate them to work hard.

Though we fully support the increment, the reason we have dedicated this editorial to commend the government is to remind her of the promise to not overspend in this election year.

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