Freezing salary increment: Gov't trying to get people out of job - Asabee

Former Information Minister in the erstwhile Kufuor government, Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, has backed the Ghana Trade Union Congress' (TUC) warning to government on the latter’s intended freeze of increment in workers' salary.

Mr. Asamoah Boateng argued that government's intention to freeze pay increases for workers is not the appropriate step to ameliorate the plight of Ghanaians.

The Government of Ghana intends to withhold salary increases in hope that it will help stabilize the country's astronomical budget deficit.

Presenting a policy statement on the state of Ghana's economy on the floor of Parliament, Finance Minister, Seth Terkper, stated that the government is considering placing a moratorium on increases in public sector salaries this year.

But the TUC led by its General Secretary, Kofi Asamoah says the decision is unfair and "insensitive," looking at the harsh conditions Ghanaians are facing.

"This is unthinkable and unacceptable. We would like to warn government that Organized Labour would do whatever it takes to resist such policies, with particular reference to the so-called moratorium on public sector wage increase."

Speaking in an interview with Kwami Sefa-Kayi on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo,' Mr. Kofi Asamoah opined that “we can sacrifice, but it will be difficult to over-sacrifice…looking at the current increment in utility bills, it will make livelihood unproductive and unbearable if you say you will not increase salaries. They are just trying to get people out of job…we should all look for a way out. The solution is not to put people out of work."

Addressing the issue on U TV's morning show "Adekye Nsroma," Asamoah Boateng supported the TUC's stance explaining that the country has been plunged into devastating hardships and such a move would only aggravate situations.

According to him, the poor governance system by President John Mahama is a contributing factor to the challenges confronting the economy.

He also bemoaned the failure on the part of government to manage the Single Spine Policy Pay, which was started by the Kufour government.

Touching on the Economic Partnership Agreement, Asamoah Boateng decried government's intent to sign the agreement because to him, the Westerners produce in large quantities than the local producers and so, the agreement will bring a huge disparity between the Western world and the African world.

To him, the government should put measures in place to streamline the economy without freezing the workers' salary.