President Akufo-Addo has said he and his appointees will not enjoy salary increment in a bid to get the economy back on track in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I have taken the decision to freeze salary increments for this year 2021 for myself as president, the vice-president, ministers, deputy ministers, and all appointees of the executive. It is our modest contribution to reduce the damage to our public revenues and to help hasten our nation’s recovery from the ravages of the pandemic,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo made this known at the May Day (Labour Day) celebration under the theme, “Economic Recovery in an Era of COVID-19: The Role of Social Partners”, at the forecourt of the Trade Unions Congress (TUC).
He also noted that government has provided free water for all households, as well as free electricity for lifeline consumers and a 50% discount for all other consumers for the most part of the last one year.
“Public sector jobs for example have been maintained and unlike workers in the private sector, public sector workers have not experienced any retrenchments or any reduction in their wages or salaries through out the period of this pandemic. This situation will not change,” Akufo-Addo assured.
On the issue of Minimum wage, President Akufo-Addo announced that the National Tripartite Committee has commenced negotiations and he’s waiting for the end result.
“I am happy to state that negotiations within the Tripartite Committee have begun in earnest,” Akufo-Addo said.