Government Committed to the Implementation of Single–Spine Salary

President John Evans Atta Mills

President John Evans Atta Mills today assured organised labour of government's commitment to the implementation of the Single-Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) introduced last year, but was withdrawn due to reaction from a cross-section of public workers and implementation difficulties.

Government is studying the report submitted by the Technical Committee on the issue for further action, following discussions between government, organised labour and employers in February, this year.

President Mills was addressing organised Labour, which comprises various workers unions, at the Independence Square in Accra to commemorate the 43rd May Day for Ghana on the theme: 'Improved Standards of Living Through Decent Work - A Prerequisite for Sustaining Democratic Governance'

He said Government is committed to fine-tuning the Single-Spine Pay Policy, which will take into consideration concerns of all interested parties in order to build a consensus to overcome any implementation challenges.

President Mills disclosed that Government, in anticipation of the implementation of the Single - Spine Salary, is providing adequate funds and logistics to the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to execute its mandate.

The President observed that this year's May Day Celebrations is taking place against the backdrop of a global economic downturn, which has serious economic repercussions on economic policies and employment worldwide.

He observed that Ghana, like other third world countries, seem to have become used to economic crises on daily basis such that many people cannot differentiate between the situation before the global economic crisis and the prevailing situation.

'There is the temptation to play down the extent to which the global situation can worsen the crisis we may become used to'' adding that Ghana, like other emerging economies, is more integrated into the international economy and is likely to experience the effect of the economic downturn through dwindling donor support, trade decline and reduced remittances and investments.

Professor Mills also noted that past management of the country's economy has also resulted in the current economic situation. He said that even though other countries have agreed on stimulus packages, which place emphasis on government interventions, Ghana needs a homegrown solution to address the situation to enhance the capacity of Government to provide social protection for the people facing the brunt of poverty.

He assured organised labour that government does not have any intention of reversing the role of the private sector as the engine of growth, but pointed out that circumstances surrounding the global financial crunch, point to the need to ensure strict application of rules and regulations.

'As a Government, we will not hesitate to review legislations and agreements to make sure the people of Ghana are not shortchanged', President Mills said, adding that he has directed a review of the Pension Act passed last year, bearing in mind the lessons of how deregulation in the financial markets has brought the world virtually to its knees.

Government, he said, is also critically examining all protocols and agreements, such as the Economic Partnership Agreement, and will look for advice and inputs from all stakeholders in industry, which includes employers and unions before a decision is taken.

On employment, President Mills assured organised labour of its commitment to creating jobs in the economic and productive sectors such as agriculture, trade and industry and tourism.

Touching on Government's social protection policy, President Mills said Government places high premium on ensuring that living standards are significantly improved. He disclosed that nearly one million pupils will be provided with school uniforms and books. Professor Mills also announced a GH¢7.5 million for the continuation of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme.

On his part, the Secretary-General of the Trade Unions Congress (TUC), Mr Kofi Asamoah, called for the restoration of the End-of-Service Benefit (ESB) and the implementation of the Single-Spine Pay Structure for all workers. Mr Asamoah observed that the recent payment of Ex-gratia Award to some public servants is an indication of discrimination and inequality in the public sector.

He added that the principle of equal treatment and opportunities for all is regularly violated, and bemoaned the plight of women in spite of laws in the country which seek to promote gender equality.

He called on Government to adequately resource the National Labour Commission (NLC) to enable it perform its duty in the resolution of industrial disputes as well as the establishment of regional and district labour committees. Since the establishment of the NLC, that institution has not been able to play all of its mandated roles due to the lack of human and material resources.

He noted that the Constitution of Ghana guarantees workers' right of association as a fundamental human right, however, some employers have resorted to various illegal tactics to frustrate workers who want to exercise this right. He therefore called for strict enforcement of the law to enable workers exercise their constitutional rights without fear.

Mr Asamoah appealed to Government to examine the decision of the High Court in Accra dated January 18, 2008, to the effect that employers can terminate the employment of their employees without giving any reason, since this seriously undermines the consensus reached in the various tripartite consultations that led to the passage of the Labour law.