The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has reignited calls for a national transition from minimum wages to living wages, urging the Tripartite Committee to commit to a structured roadmap that prioritizes the welfare of workers and their families.
Speaking at a Tripartite Roundtable Discussion on Productivity, Jobs and Growth in Ghana, Dr. Kwabena Nyarko Otoo, Deputy Secretary General of the TUC, said that implementing a living wage is not only achievable but necessary for national equity and productivity.
“The current minimum wage of GHS19 considers only the individual worker, but every worker supports a family,” Dr. Otoo argued. “A living wage should reflect the full human cost of labour — not just survival, but dignity.”
The roundtable, supported by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) under the Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work (PE4DW) project, brought together labour, employers, and policymakers. It was hosted in partnership with the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation.
Dr. Otoo suggested that rather than an abrupt shift, a phased plan over five years could transition Ghana toward a full living wage system. “In year one, we take the first steps. In year two, we build further. By year five, we’re ready for full implementation,” he said.
He also criticised pay disparities in Ghana’s public sector, noting that while political office holders have enjoyed salary hikes of over 80% in recent years, most public sector workers have seen less than 50% increases.
On the employers’ side, Mr. Kingsley Laar of the Ghana Employers’ Association acknowledged the importance of fair compensation but pointed to data challenges and uncertainty over how profits should be distributed between labour and capital.
The TUC’s proposal underscores a growing national debate over wage fairness, equity, and the need for policies that reflect Ghana’s social realities rather than abstract economic targets.
