The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has described the government’s recent 10% salary increase for public sector workers as unacceptable.
According to him, the increment does not meet the expectations of workers and has urged President John Mahama to do better if he cannot match increments done in the past.
The government has approved a 10 percent wage hike for public sector workers.
The agreement was reached following successful negotiations between the Labour Union and President John Dramani Mahama.
But addressing Parliament in Accra on Friday, February 21, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin highlighted past salary increments to reference 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 an 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% increase between January and June and 25% from July to December. Now, we are facing just a 10% increment. The leader of government business must take note 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.”
Reacting to the concerns raised, the Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga posited that the agreement reflects workers’ confidence in John Dramani Mahama’s government and his commitment to restoring confidence in the economy.
“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.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
