As May Day approaches, tensions between Ghana’s Organized Labour and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) have escalated over demands for a living wage and equitable pay reforms.
The Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS), introduced to harmonize public sector earnings, now faces criticism for stark disparities, with top salaries at GH¢13,000 and the lowest at GH¢300. Organized Labour argues this imbalance undermines the system’s goal of reducing inequality.
This year, public sector workers received a 10% salary increase, compared to 20% for employees in state-owned enterprises (SOEs), despite many SOEs reporting losses exceeding GH¢14 million in 2024. Joshua Ansah, Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), highlighted the struggles of workers grappling with stagnant wages amid rising living costs. “Purchasing power has eroded, and poor conditions exacerbate these challenges,” he said, emphasizing the need for urgent intervention.
FWSC CEO Dr. George Smith-Graham urged patience, noting that even developed nations struggle to implement living wages. He pointed to the planned Emoluments Commission, set for launch by year-end, as a long-term solution to depoliticize salary determinations, particularly for Article 71 office holders—high-ranking officials whose pay is constitutionally mandated. “Reforming the public sector is essential,” Smith-Graham added, cautioning that higher wages without efficiency gains could perpetuate underperformance.
The debate unfolds ahead of May Day, themed “Resetting Pay and Conditions of Service – The Role of Stakeholders.” Organized Labour insists delays in addressing wage gaps and working conditions are untenable, while the government advocates structural reforms through the new commission. The SSSS, once a beacon of equity, now mirrors broader challenges in balancing fiscal constraints with workers’ welfare, underscoring the complex interplay between economic stability and social equity in Ghana’s public sector.
