
The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) has responded to concerns raised by the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) following the announcement of a nationwide strike set to begin on Thursday, November 7, 2024.
CLOGSAG recently released a statement expressing its dissatisfaction with the ongoing negotiations, calling for a new salary structure and enhanced conditions of service. In response, the FWSC provided key points to clarify the government’s stance and the current status of discussions on the issue.
The FWSC noted that CLOGSAG initially presented its request for a revised salary structure to the Senior Presidential Advisor’s Office, which resulted in the formation of a Technical Committee consisting of both government representatives and CLOGSAG members. This committee has been actively reviewing and discussing CLOGSAG’s proposals. According to the FWSC, CLOGSAG’s communiqué from July 2024 recognized the government’s commitment to addressing the salary structure issues at hand.
The government has been exploring alternatives to meet CLOGSAG’s demands while maintaining the integrity of the existing Single Spine Pay Policy, citing a 2011 High Court ruling that prevents CLOGSAG from opting out of this pay structure. In a recent meeting on October 30, the government team presented an alternative proposal aimed at addressing CLOGSAG’s concerns, which they subsequently formalized in writing at CLOGSAG’s request. However, the FWSC indicated that CLOGSAG has not yet responded to this proposal.
The FWSC further emphasized that CLOGSAG circumvented the Commission’s formal processes by directly submitting its demands through the Senior Presidential Advisor, an action the Commission deemed as undermining its authority. The FWSC Act 2007 (Act 737) designates the FWSC as the official body responsible for managing government pay policies. Additionally, the FWSC pointed out instances where CLOGSAG has dismissed the Commission’s Chief Executive, Ing. Benjamin Arthur, by failing to attend scheduled meetings and allegedly making verbal attacks, thereby demonstrating a lack of respect for the Commission’s role.
Despite these challenges, the FWSC reiterated the government’s commitment to continue discussions with CLOGSAG and urged the association to reconsider its strike plans, highlighting the importance of collaborative dialogue in reaching a mutually beneficial resolution.
The FWSC called on CLOGSAG to return to the negotiation table to facilitate a prompt resolution of their grievances, emphasizing that solutions can be found within the framework of the Single Spine Pay Policy.