Gov't working towards living wage for workers

The National Renewal Programme (NRP) is in the process of undertaking a full-scale study to find out how much it will cost the Ghanaian government to pay a living wage to workers in the public service.

This is to facilitate the process and set the stage for the president’s call for the payment of as living wage to workers in the country.

Information and Presidential Affairs Minister, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey speaking at the backdrop of public comments that the president’s call for a debate on a living wage for workers was a political gimmick.

Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey said government is really concerned about the current low-level salaries particularly in the public sector and pledged the commitment of the government to address the disparity.

He noted that although salaries and wages in the private sector are better then those in the public sector, government intends to let the exercise be across the board.

The minister noted that the disparities in the wages between private and public sectors in huge, adding, “the situation is not acceptable.” Government says it would initiate steps to convene a meeting for the proposed debate to begin. All recognized bodies and individuals are expected to make inputs and show interest in the discussions to make the president’s dream of paying a living wage to workers a reality.