Minimum wage negotiation begins in June

Government has disclosed that negotiations on the national minimum wage will begin on June 23, 2015.

Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, who made this known in a press release issued by the ministry, said the negotiating parties are expected to come to a consensus by the end of September 2015 before the presentation of the next national budget.

At the second National Forum on Single Spine Policy (SSPP) in Takoradi, Western Region recently, Mr Iddrisu said despite the fact that government was doing everything possible to eliminate ghost names and other fraudulent practices on the government payroll, there was the need to intensify negotiations with all stakeholders to avoid their recurrence and periodic industrial actions.

The government in January 2015, announced an increase in the minimum wage by 16.7 percent.

The daily minimum wage was pegged at GH¢7 from GH¢6.

The increment took effect from January 1, 2015.

Key themes that were discussed at the second National Forum included sustainability of the SSPP, implementation of market premium, freedom of association and collective bargaining.

The others were management of pay-related industrial disputes, equity in public sector pay, implementation of categories two and three allowances and weaning subverted agencies off the government payroll.

In attendance were representatives of the Ghana Employers Association, Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), Parliament, Civil Society Organizations, as well as other relevant stakeholders.