Implementation of second phase of salaries in July

The implementation of the second phase of the Ghana Universal Salary Structure (GUSS), under the Public Sector Medium to Long-Term Salaries and Wages Policy, will take off in June.

Mr. A.K. Yankey, Chairman of the Central Management Board (CMB), disclosed this at a two-day seminar to educate members of the Consultative Forum in Ashanti on the policy at Kumasi. The Consultative Forum comprises the Civil Servants Association, Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Ghana Registered Nurses Association (GRNA), Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) and the Health Services Workers Union (HSWU). Mr. Yankey said that, with the second part of negotiations ended in April, the implementation would start in June while all arrears in respect of the increases would be paid by the end of July.

He said the appellate body looking into petitions from organizations and individuals on the implementation of the salary structure had submitted its second interim report and that the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare was working on it. Mr. Yankey said the policy on the new salary structure was on course and that the problems encountered last year after the implementation of the policy by the CMB, Controller and Accountant General's Department and the Ministry of Finance had all been resolved.

He said government's objectives for the public sector reform program include ensuring a pro-active and motivated public service capable of contributing towards the attainment of broad policy objectives of government in the areas of good governance, accelerated economic growth, private sector development and equitable social development. "The critical theme at the center of compensation policy and practice should be equity, that is equal pay for work of equal worth," he added.

Mr. Smart Chigabatia, Executive Secretary of the Civil Servants Association, explained that the 20 per cent increase announced was not across board as civil servants were being made to believe but that it was 20 per cent plus a change in the relativity level. He said the new salary policy was not meant to ensure a living wage but that it was meant to ensure equity at public sector remuneration, adding that the Tripartite Committee would discuss the living wage issue.