Labour Minister Haruna Iddrisu says the 12.5% salary increase for public sector workers is not new.
He told Joy News the decision to increase, which is part of the implementation of the Single Spine Salary Structure was taken in September 2016.
The announcement was contained in a statement dated September 13, 2016 and jointly signed by the Chief Executive of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission George Smith Graham and General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress Dr Yaw Baah.
However with Mahama led administration preparing to hand over power to the incoming administration led by Nana Akufo-Addo, reports have suggested the 12.5% increment is something new.
The reports come at a time the National Service Employees have received hikes in their allowances thanks to a last minute announcement by the National Service Authority.
Per the increases, Service employees will now take home ¢559.04 up from ¢350.00.
Critics, particularly members of the incoming government have questioned the increases and appointments being showered on beneficiaries by the outgoing government.
Outgoing Labour and Employment Minister Haruna Iddrisu has however defended the 12.5% increase in the public sector wages.
He said nothing untoward has been done and accused critics of being mischievous by bringing the 12.5% increases as if the announcement was made during the transition period.
According to him, the decision to increase salaries of public sector workers was arrived at by the Public Services Joint Standing Negotiating Committee (PSJSNC), comprising government, and organised labour. He said the negotiations commenced in May 2016 and completed in September 2016 but will take effect in January 2017.
In 2008, the outgoing Kufuor government announced the implementation of the SSSS on the eve of his departure from government but the incoming administration condemned the action and stayed its implementation until 2010.
But Haruna Iddrisu insists the circumstances are different. He explained the decision was taken in September 2016 but the implementation date was set on January 2017 to allow for better planning and implementation.
According to him, provision has been made in the 2017 budget for its implementation and there is no cause for alarm.
He said labour will not be excited about the quantum of increases because they will be expecting a higher percentage.
Source: Joy News
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when the traders where sabotaging the government with price hikes why didn't anyone complain, why didn't Traders reduce their prices way back not when a npp won, its politics and not a church service, why wont the npp increase salary of workers or national service personnel?. what is the cry about, come and show your competence. a b o w a a a
I tot the Govt said IMF will sanction Gh if we employ young graduates and increase pay? What has suddenly changed? I see the occurrence of this sickness that is endemic with politicians - LOOSE ELECTION, MUDDY THE WATERS AND GO. YES KUFFOUR DID SO MAHAMA SHOULD DO ALSO. No problem, GOD will see us, there is GOD ooooooooooooooo
@ YELO , u ar ryt. the remedy is an erected witch hunting. No mercy
Prez Mahama disappoints me and the entire nation.If he hadn't lost this election, we would not have heard of this increment. I believe all the debts left for Ghana to pay are still looking too small for the Prez Elect. This should mean the NDC believes in the Prez Elect or want to want to make it difficult for Ghana to survive under their administration. Who do they really want to punish? Ghana or the NPP. Prez Mahama, you should be ashamed. For what you have done, it shows Ghana made a mistake making you president.
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Hmmmm , I think the ndc is making a big Mistake with all this increments and promotions this will rather anger the npp which will now witch hunt. They shd v laid low. I can see the npp getting at them real hard which wil make alot of ndc members suffer. This is ghana politics, they laugh now but regret later.
So now the IMF conditionalities that prohibited the NDC from increasing salaries have vanished? You guys are simply WWIICKEDD. Ghana will survive beyond NDC. Ghana will be great again.