By Eugenia Aumadu-Sakyi.
Some experts say the spate of labour unrest in the country is a sign that the Single Spine Salary Structure, SSSP has outlived its usefulness in ensuring uniformity in the payment of salaries of public sector workers.
Others believe it is an indictment on the competence of the negotiation skills of the government and its affiliated regulatory bodies. Hence, the need to scrap the Single Spine Salary Structure, for a more effective salary scheme.
However, speaking to GBC News, Labour Analyst, Austin Gamey, stressed that the Single Spine Salary Structure, SSSP, is laudable and must be maintained and re-evaluated as soon as possible.
Mr. Gamey is also of the view that Article 71 Office Holders must be hooked onto the Single Spine to check indiscriminate payment of ex-gratia and save the public purse.
In a related development, Labour Analyst, Austin Gamey, says prudent investment of the returns from pension funds is vital to ensuring an increase in salaries of pensioners. Mr. Gamey blamed the low salaries of pensioners on the mismanagement of pension funds by managers of the scheme.
“I think stakeholders, particularly the Board of Pension Scheme, need to sit-up and play their oversight role more efficiently’’. I also recommend regular updates on the management of pension funds in order to plug loopholes in the process.’’
Mr. Gamey did not mince words in challenging organized labour to up their game in fighting for a rise in the base pay of public sector workers to reverse the cycle of meagre salaries of pensioners.
Meanwhile, Labour Analyst, Ben Arthur, has described the government’s borrowing of money to pay salaries of public sector workers as unproductive. Speaking to GBC News, Mr. Arthur urged the government to refrain from excessive borrowing and focus on the Internally Generated Funds.
‘’Constant rise in goods and services is due to incessant borrowing which is also affecting the private sector.’’
