Commission On Fair Wages, Salaries And National Labour Inaugurated
The Minister for Employment and Social Welfare, Honourable Stephen Amoanor Kwao, last Friday, inaugurated Chairpersons and members of fair Wages and Salaries Commission as well as the National Labour Commission to resolve and implement a public sector pay policy.
He said this is a pay policy that will be acceptable to public service employees who execute government programs, projects and activities for the well-being and good of citizens.
The Members for the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission include Mr John Theophilus Warman (chairman), Ms Peggy Addo (vice chair person), Mr Solomon Kobina Amoah, Mrs Victoria M Kumbour, Mr Alex Frimpong and Mr Bossman Agyarko.
Members for National Labour Commission are Mr Joseph A Aryitey (chairperson), Opanin Obeng-Fosu, Kofi Attoh, Paul Osei-Mensah, Dennis K Y Vormawor, Dan Acheampong and Mrs Angelina Domekyaareh.
The Minister said the Ghana Universal Salary Structure (GUSS) was introduced in 1997 and it was to be implemented in phases to cover employees in public sector and all persons paid from the consolidated fund.
The aim of the GUSS was to gradually eliminate disparities and distortions in the salary structure.
He explained that the implementation of GUSS has not been systematic and comprehensive, resulting in the introduction of diverse salary structures in the public services.
He added that it is against this background that the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission Act, 2007 (ACT 737) was enacted to establish the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission.
According to the Minister, the Commission on Fair Wages and Salaries will ensure that fair, transparent and systematic implementation of Government public service pay policy, proper management and co-ordinate decisions related to salaries, wages grading, classification and job analysis, among other related issues.
Fuurthermore, it will control the co-ordination of public service wage and salary negations and also, provide an objective consolidation of allowances and benefits.
He added that, the board is responsible for managing the single spine pay policy and also forms part of their responsibility to perform their duties promptly and fairly in ensuring value for money as well as engendering productivity in the public sector work.
On the part of the National Labour Commission, Honourable Amoanor Kwao hinted that, most organisations are often characterised by conflicts and disputes and nation’s ability to resolve such conflicts as they emerge shows the level of socio-economic and political growth of the nation.
He stressed that, resolving labour issues requires certain caliber of personnel with skills, tact, diplomacy, patience, tolerance and the appointment given to them will require skills to enable them resolve issues.
He noted that, last year the National Labour Commission received about 632 petitions relating to several labour issues and this he said, “Led to several conflicts and disagreement among employers and employees”.
Hon, Amoanor Kwao urged them to apply their experiences in labour relations, law and human relation skills to bring about desired harmony in the industrial front.
The Chairman of the National Labour Commission, Mr Joseph Aryitey, thanked the government for entrusting in them and promised to discharge their duties and seek advice where and when necessary so as to make good judgement for better decisions at all times.
Source: ISD ( Michelle Fafa Agbenorto)
