TUC Rejects Government’s Salary Projection Of ₵44.9m In 2023 Budget

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has said they will reject the government’s projected compensation of employees as stipulated in the 2023 budget.

While reading the 2023 Budget in Parliament, Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta projected compensation of employees at GH¢44,990 million (5.6% of GDP).

But according to the Deputy General Secretary of TUC, Joshua Ansah, they will not accept the proposal.

He said this before the leadership of TUC met the government on Wednesday, to finalise a deal over an increment in their base pay.

Mr Ansah indicated that they would put up a strong opposition if the government maintains the same proposal.

“There is no way Organised Labour is also going to accept what has been put in the budget. Well, if the government has made up its mind that it is the way it thinks that he can actually force down the throat of workers, then we are in for a big fight because there is no way government can pay anything below what we are expecting,” he said.

He insisted Organized Labour will firmly stand by their demand for a 60% base pay increment.

In a previous meeting with the government, the group rejected a 12 per cent salary increment offered by the government following negotiations.

According to the leadership of TUC, the 12% increment was not adequate to cater for their needs in the midst of soaring inflation.

President of the Teachers and Educational Workers Union(TEWU), Ambrose Yaw Kwadwodzah had said they insisted on a 60 per cent increase before the budget was read.

“This year’s conditions are far worse than last year’s when we negotiated for salary increment. We believe that what is left in the coffers is not being shared equitably amongst us.

“The so-called Article 71 office holders, one of their allowance is more than someone’s basic salary and that is not fair at all,” he noted.