The National Tripartite Committee has gone into consultations to try to reach a minimum wage acceptable to both labour and employers following a directive from President Kufuor. The President gave the order at a meeting with representatives of the Trades Union Congress, the Employers Association and Employment Ministry at the castle on Thursday afternoon.
It comes barely a week after the government unilaterally declared a 9,000-cedi daily minimum wage.
President Kufuor who personally witnessed a demonstration by workers against the minimum wage on Wednesday told the Tripartite Committee to strive to reach a deal acceptable to all parties.
It is uncertain, whether his brief encounter with the demonstrating workers brought about the change of heart. But regardless of what could have influenced the President, he told the Tripartite committee to ensure that they come out with a solution acceptable to employers, labour and government. ''You must strive to get the equilibrium within which we can all work'' he added.
According to a JOY FM report, Finance Minister Yaw Osafo Maafo who is putting finishing touches to the budget at Akosombo has been summoned to Accra for the meeting.
TUC Secretary General, Kwasi Adu Amankwah is happy that the President has granted the Labour Union’s wish for further consultations. But his enthusiasm is not shared by the acting president of the Employers Association Dr. Charles Mensah.
He says care should be taken to ensure that the new deal is affordable to employers and the business community. Dr Mensah urged the TUC to be considerate, bearing in mind the implications of wages on the cost of doing business.
The tripartite has until the close of today (Wednesday) to reach a deal so the finance minister can factor the change into the budget due to be presented tomorrow.
