Ghana Federation of Labour fumes over high cost of living

The Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL) has expressed outrage over the country's high cost of living, the rapid depreciation of the cedi, and the meagre salaries of workers.

He called on the government to take immediate action to address these pressing issues.

According to the GFL, the high cost of living, coupled with the depreciation of the cedi, has eroded the purchasing power of workers, making it difficult for them to make ends meet.

Mr. Abraham Koomson, GFL Secretary General, stated during an interaction with a section of the media in Tema that the minimum wage is grossly inadequate, considering the current economic conditions. “Now that the cost of a standard loaf of bread is higher than the minimum wage, this is unacceptable.

"The situation is dire, and we cannot continue to bear the brunt of the government's economic mismanagement."

Mr. Koomson stressed: "We demand an immediate increase in salaries, a reduction in taxes, and a comprehensive plan to stabilise the economy."

The GFL Secretary-General also called on Ghanaians to vote against the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming elections, citing their failure to address the economic woes of the country. "We cannot continue to entrust our economic future to a government that has consistently failed us."

Mr. Koomson noted that the federation and other unions will continue their advocacy until the issues are addressed.

The GFL also urged unions to demand their fair share of the national cake and better conditions of service, stressing that “Ghanaian workers are grappling with a high cost of living and inflation; the exchange rate of the cedi which is now almost 15 cedis to one dollar.”

He said the depreciation of the Ghana cedi represents a huge decline in living standards and also cautioned the government to be mindful of overburdening the manufacturing sector with tax policies.

The GFL Secretary-General called on labour union leadership to solidify their front in defence of the interests of all Ghanaian workers by fighting for higher salaries, fair working hours, and safer working conditions.

"I am calling on fellow labour union leadership to work together; we must confront anyone, including the government and the management of establishments, whose actions or inactions are not in the interest of the worker," he warned.

Mr. Koomson reaffirmed that 2024 is an action year for labour, saying, "The various labour unions must not sit aloft again; we must rise up and fight for our fair share of the national cake."

Mr. Koomson also reiterated discrimination in the labour market and said that unfair treatment must end, questioning why some workers retire on their full salary with all other entitlements while others on virtually nothing.

The GFL Secretary General stated, "We all work for the same state; either we all retire on our full salaries and other benefits or we all go home without it; the animal farm policies," and he emphasised the urgent need for labour unions to create a proactive labour front this year in order to effectively and efficiently fight for the interests of workers.

Mr Koomson expressed concern that while the create, loot, and share go on over the years, the labour leaders continued to fight and move towards different directions, seemingly pursuing the same agenda, adding, “Organised labour must unite now or we all perish soon”.