Gov’t to raise base pay, minimum wage to cushion workers – Rashid Pelpuo

The government has hinted at a major upward review of the national minimum wage and public sector base pay. The move aims to ease the economic burden on Ghanaian workers struggling with high living costs and salary delays.

Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr. Rashid Pelpuo, disclosed the plan during an interview on Joy News on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. He explained that the government is finalising discussions with labour unions and employers to conclude a comprehensive salary review that will restore fairness and motivate public workers.

“We are aware that many workers are dissatisfied with their current earnings, and some have gone months without pay,” Dr. Pelpuo admitted. “That is why the government is working to adjust the base pay and minimum wage to reflect current economic conditions.”

He emphasized that the Mahama administration is committed to addressing wage disparities and ensuring that public servants are fairly compensated for their service. The minister also assured that the review will be accompanied by broader economic policies to stabilise prices and support households facing inflationary pressures.

According to him, the wage adjustment forms part of a larger government strategy to rebuild confidence in the labour market, improve productivity, and sustain industrial harmony. “We are not just increasing wages; we are improving the entire employment framework to make work more rewarding,” he noted.

Dr. Pelpuo further pointed out that rising utility bills and fuel costs have placed additional strain on lower-income workers. He reiterated that the government’s priority is to protect its welfare while maintaining economic stability.

Labour unions have described the assurance as a positive step but urged the government to act promptly. “We have heard promises before, but this time workers expect timelines and real results,” a union representative said.

He argued that the recruitments were not based on real labour needs but political motives. “It wasn’t about wanting to pay them; it was about giving the impression that people were employed,” he added.

Drawing comparisons with previous transitions, Dr. Pelpuo recalled how similar challenges were inherited by the late President John Atta Mills’ administration in 2009. “When President Kufuor was leaving office, we were confronted with the Single Spine Salary Structure, which became a huge financial burden. It seems to be part of their political DNA—to create problems for the next government,” he said.

The minister condemned the practice of last-minute recruitments by outgoing governments, calling it a harmful and short-sighted political act. “When your time as a government is over, just leave. The people have already made their choice. You can’t change your political fate by overloading the system with unplanned workers,” he stressed.

Dr. Pelpuo assured that the current administration is working to resolve the issue of salary arrears and unpaid workers left behind by the previous government. “We are doing everything possible to regularise their status and ensure everyone receives what they deserve,” he said.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fair labour practices, transparency, and sustainable employment reforms to restore stability in the public sector.