The Upper West Regional Chapter of Public Service Workers Union (PSWU) of Trade Union Congress (TUC), has kicked against the recent 4 per cent salary increment for public sector workers.
The Chapter is demanding explanation from government on why Article 71 officeholders’ salary have been increased between 50 percent and 79 percent whilst that of the ordinary government worker is only 4 percent.
They have, therefore, rejected the offer and demand a review of the 4 percent to reflect the growing income gap between the Article 71 officeholders and ordinary government workers.
According to them, the current system of remuneration in the public sector is not fair and must be reviewed.
They expressed the sentiment when the National Officers of the Union visited the region to sensitize its members on the union new strategic plan towards their welfare for the next three years.
The National Officers of PSWU were led by the Vice Chairperson, Madam Gladys Mariam Osman, the General Secretary, Bernard Adjei and his Deputy, John Nii Donu Sampah.
The visit to Upper West Region was to sensitise members on the PSWU strategic plan for 2020-2023 as well as update members on the base pay negotiations and its emerging issues.
The Upper West Regional Chapter of PSWU urged the leadership of PSWU and Organize Labour who were in the tripartite Committee meeting to go back to the negotiation table with the government to come out with a meaningful percentage.
They also want the leadership to as matter of urgency review the proposed 7 per cent for 2022. They said it is woefully inadequate and that they will not accept anything below 15 percent.
The General-Secretary of PSWU, Bernard Adjei, expressed his disappointment in government after the two parties accepted the four percent offer based on the economic hardship and some other government policies to be roll out but it went behind the unions to increase the article 71 office holders’ salaries with such huge percentages.
Mr Adjei pointed out that the PSWU, will continue to seek the welfare of workers in relation to latest developments in the working environment, policies and programmes affecting the welfare of workers in general.
He said as the national officers tour the 10 administrative regions of PSWU to educate members on its strategic plan, it will also take into consideration their concerns on the base pay salary increment and return same to government.
Story filed by Dennis Bebane.
