Fair Wages Bill through second reading

Accra, March 22, GNA - Parliament on Thursday took the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission Bill, which is aimed at meeting international best practices in the labour market, through the second reading. The passage of the bill would see the establishment of a Fair Wages Commission and also ensure equal pay for equal work and eliminate adhoc wage and salary adjustments' negotiations.

A Finance Committee report said: "The Commission, once created will be fully responsible for ensuring fair, transparent and systematic implementation of government public service pay policy..." It would also undertake negotiations for the conditions of service of public servants who are remunerated from the Consolidated Fund. The report said the bill provides for avenues to seek redress through the Grievance Review Committee, the Board of Commission and the National Labour Commission.

With the passage of the bill, it is expected that there would be an atmosphere of industrial harmony with the potential to attract investment into the country for development.

The Finance Committee in its recommendation said: "Having regard to the importance of peaceful and stable labour environment to national development and realising the role of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission in creating that conducive atmosphere for public services to perform effectively to further create the rightful climate for business, the Committee recommends that all efforts be made to adequately finance and resource the Commission for effective discharge of its functions."