Labour Union’s acceptance of 10% wage hike shows confidence in Mahama – Majority

Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has praised the Labour Union’s acceptance of the 10% salary increase, viewing it as a strong endorsement of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.

Ayariga stated that the agreement reflects the workers’ trust in the administration’s economic policies and commitment to improving livelihoods.

“The workers of this country, led by their leaders gladly accepted the 10% increase. Accepting a 10% increment as against 25% is a vote of confidence in the leader because they have confidence that President John Mahama when he collects the tax, will not be flying and bathing in the air,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Minority voiced strong dissatisfaction with the recently announced 10% salary increase for public sector workers, describing it as insufficient given the rising cost of living.

The caucus said the 10% increase falls short of workers’ expectations.

The leader of the minority side, Alexander Afenyo-Markin argued saying: “In 2017, public sector workers enjoyed a 12.5% increase in pay. In 2018, they enjoyed 11%, in 2020 there was a 15% increase, and in 2021 there was a 4% plus interim premium of 15%. In 2022, there was a 15% Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) on the base salary.

“In 2023 there was a 30% increase and in 2024, there was a 23% between January and June and between July and December, there was a 25%. We are just ahead of an increment of 10%. The leader of government business must take note of this and inform the President that these are the numbers he came to meet.

“The ordinary Ghanaian worker has a higher expectation in this 133-24-hour economy. They have a legitimate expectation that President Mahama will do better. The 10% is unacceptable.”