Labour economist wants strict measures against employers underpaying staff

Labour economist at the University of Ghana, Dr. Baah Boateng has called on government to take a firm decision and strictly enforce compliance of the minimum wage.

The country’s minimum wage currently stands at GHc8.80 which translates into a minimum monthly salary of GHc264, but many companies are paying their employers below the nationally agreed pay.

A research conducted by the Trades Union Congress covering the period 2015 and 2016 has revealed that about 66 percent of workers in the informal sector are paid below the minimum wage. 20 percent of the underpaid workers are auto-mechanics and traders in textiles.

The findings sampled 728 auto-mechanics and textile traders in Accra and Kumasi. Reports show some workers in the informal sector receive less than 200 Cedis a month, which is woefully inadequate.

Dr. Baah Boateng is therefore calling for a review of the minimum wage and the enforcement of the law to improve the lot of those in the informal sector.

In the meantime, the Deputy Secretary General of TUC, Joshua Ansah has pledged his outfit’s commitment to assist the workers to fight for their rights.