President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has placed a temporary ban on salary increment for himself, his Vice President, and all other appointees in his government for this year.
This is his way of contributing to a reduction of the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on the economy.
“I have taken the decision to freeze salary increment for this year, 2021 for myself as President, the Vice President, Ministers, Deputy Ministers and all appointees of the executive. It is our modest contribution to reduce the damage to our public revenue and to help hasten our nation’s recovery from the ravages of the pandemic,” he said when he addressed this year’s May Day celebrations in Accra on Saturday.
Apart from that, the President noted that “we will also use this year to ensure that all workers are vaccinated to protect their lives and enhance their productivity.”
The President hinted that the unemployment insurance scheme which was ceded by the government and is being championed by the social partnership council would be established by the end of the year.
On his part, Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Dr. Yaw Baah, revealed that in all 800,000 workers in Ghana suffered from pay cuts as a result of the effect of the coronavirus on the economy.
He recounted the impact of the virus on workers and said workers had to endure enormous economic pressure following the outbreak of the pandemic, which is still lurking.
He further revealed that poor housing for workers and delays in negotiation of national minimum wage are among some of the concerns of workers that the President must deal with without any hesitation.
Dr. Baah assured the President that organised labour is willing and ready to assist the government tackle the ravages of the coronavirus on the economy.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu
