As negotiations between Organised Labour and government kick-off for the year 2024, the labour union has tabled a bold proposal, seeking a substantial 75% increment in base pay to counter the escalating cost of living in the country.
The talks, which began on Monday, November 13, have revealed a stark disparity in expectations between the two parties.
Initial reports indicate that the labour union, in a bid to find common ground, revised its demand to a 60% increase in base pay. However, the government has proposed a significantly lower figure of 15%.
In an exclusive interview on Joy FM's Newsnight on the negotiation day, Deputy General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Joshua Ansah, expressed the willingness of labour to compromise, highlighting that the initial 75.1% demand was met with a meagre 10% proposal from the government.
“We reviewed our stance to 60%,” Ansah explained, shedding light on the challenging negotiations. The Labour leader also disclosed that the union is set to strategize and determine its fallback position in anticipation of further talks scheduled for Tuesday, November 14.
Addressing the looming deadline of the 2024 budget reading, scheduled to take place in the coming weeks, Mr Ansah emphasized that the pressure of the budget should not coerce Labour into accepting an unfavourable proposal hastily.
Contrary to the labour union's stance, Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Bright Wireko-Brobby, appealed for reconsideration in the percentage increase sought by labour.
Wireko-Brobby acknowledged the government's recognition of the challenges faced by the labour union but underscored the need for a pragmatic agreement that the government can fulfil.
“We are praying for them to accept something that will not break the back of the government. For me, I cannot give a figure to you now, but we are working with them,” Wireko-Brobby stated, indicating an ongoing effort to find common ground between the government and Organised Labour.
The outcome of these negotiations holds significant implications for the financial landscape and the well-being of the workforce in the coming year.