By Elsie Appiah-Osei
Accra, Oct. 30, GNA – The Minority Caucus on Employment, Labour Relations and Pensions Committee in Parliament has expressed concern over the newly signed Multi-Year Public Service Remuneration Agreement for 2027 and 2028.
The agreement, finalised on October 28, 2026, provides a nine per cent total remuneration increase for 2027, comprising eight per cent base pay and 1 per cent for conditions of service, and 10 per cent for 2028.
A press statement signed by Madam Mavis Nkansah Boadu, Ranking Member of the Committee, and copied to the Ghana News Agency on Friday, said, “The adjustment does not reflect current cost-of-living pressures facing public sector workers.”
According to the statement, public sector wages saw increases of 10 per cent in 2025 and 9 per cent in 2026, while household expenses have continued to rise.
It cited data from the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to illustrate the trend.
“Electricity tariffs increased by a cumulative 19 per cent in 2025, with quarterly adjustments of 14.75 per cent in May, 2.45 per cent in July and 1.14 per cent in October.
“In 2026, a 9.86 per cent increase in January, a 4.81 per cent reduction in April, and a 3.49 per cent increase in July leaves electricity about 29 per cent higher than at the start of 2025,” it said.
Touching on water, the statement said, a 4.02 per cent increase in May 2025, followed by a 15.92 per cent increase in January 2026 and a 0.85 per cent increase in July 2026, leaving tariffs about 18 per cent higher than at the start of 2025.
It added that rent and housing rents rose by 8 per cent to 14 per cent year-on-year as of January 2026.
The statement also referenced reports of higher market and hostel rents, adding that transport and Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) increased by 8 per cent from September 26, 2026, while alleging LPG is projected to increase by about 18.5 per cent to GH¢20.60 per kilogramme in the October 16 pricing window.
“Other costs and mobile data increased by 15 per cent from July 2025,” it said.
The statement also questioned the process leading to the agreement, noting that the two-year framework comes ahead of the transition of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to the Independent Public Emoluments Commission (IPEC).
It urged Organised Labour to provide a full account to members on proposals tabled and the basis for accepting the deal.
As a result, it called for a reconvening of the Public Services Joint Standing Negotiating Committee (PSJSNC) to review the remuneration framework in line with current living costs and a more coordinated approach between wage negotiations and utility tariff adjustments.
“Respect for collective bargaining processes during institutional transitions and greater transparency from Organised Labour leadership to its rank and file,” it said.
The statement said the Caucus will continue to advocate for improved conditions for public sector workers.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei
Reporter: Elsie Appiah-Osei, GNA
Email: [email protected]