The Chief Executive of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, Benjamin Arthur has said that payments of the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) to public sector workers will commence soon.
An interview with Accra-based Joy television, he noted that the drafting procedures for paying the COLA to all public sector employees have been completed.
“We are certain that government will implement it. So nobody should have doubts. As soon as possible. Realizing the money in your pocket, we are working on the schedule, and I am sure, maybe in about two weeks to three weeks, the government will come out public with the exact date.
“That has been done modalities and it will have to be communicated to organized labour,” he stressed.
On July 4, 2022, four teacher unions; Ghana National Association of Teachers, National Association of Graduate Teachers, Coalition of Concerned Teachers, Ghana, and the Teachers and Educational Workers Union in Ghana declared an indefinite strike over their COLA.
In a press conference, the unions mentioned that they wanted 20 percent to be paid however, the government and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission managed to beat down the 20% demand to 15% effective July 1, 2022.
“The Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) will be paid at a rate of 15 percent of base pay. That the effective date of the payment of COLA is 1st July 2022,” Employment and Labour Relations Minister, Ignatius Baffour Awuah announced at a press briefing.
However, workers are yet to receive the money.
According to the union, the allowance will help them cope with the current economic conditions and teachers’ deteriorating situation.
