ITUC backs TUC calls for living wages

The International Trades Union Congress (ITUC) has supported calls by the Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC) for a living wage for the average Ghanaian worker.

“Living wage is also a minimum wage. The only difference is that [living wage] is based on other factors in ensuring what can help for the survival of a family of four, for example,” explained TUC Secretary General Dr Kofi Asamoah on TV3’s News 360 on Monday, February 17, 2014.

“That is what we need to do in the country,” he emphasized.

But before the TUC will begin negotiations for that and an increase in the current daily minimum wage of GH¢5.24, ITUC General Secretary, Sharan Burrow, who is in the country for a short visit, has thrown the international body’s support for the local trades union to work out a living wage for all workers.

“So we want to rise with the commitment to fight for minimum living wages everywhere and the source of protection for the whole workers: formal and informal,” Ms Burrow said while addressing stakeholders on Monday. The stakeholders have gathered to begin negotiations for an increase in the current minimum wage.

“And we want the world to actually help because often I hear the story from government that it is so expensive,” she remarked.

She suggested that Ghana can start offering living wages to its workers and fund it for 10 years till it is sustainable “as social protection flow…if you just make the tax evaders pay their tax”.

A new wage is expected to be announced before May 1 this year as negotiations have already begun.