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Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union Demand 50% Base Pay for Public Sector Workers – Salary Negotiation

The Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union (TEWU of TUC-Ghana) is advocating for a 50% increase in base pay as it prepares for salary negotiations with the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations. In an interview on Joy News on Thursday, October 9, 2025, TEWU’s National Chairperson, Salamatu Mahamah Braimah, emphasized the need for improved worker conditions amid rising living costs.

“We are selling our labour, and as you know, each time things change, it means that our working conditions must change as well,” Braimah stated. “We are going into these negotiations with the mindset that there will be an improvement in the base pay. I think the minimum will be 50%. So even if the government gives us 100%, we will say thank you, Mr. Government or Mr. President, and walk away.”

Dr. Rashid Pelpuo, Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, acknowledged the union’s concerns, noting that the government will carefully review the proposal. He expressed optimism that any agreement would balance workers’ needs with the state’s financial capacity.

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Labour Unions Press for Timely Pay Deal

Labour unions, including the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), are intensifying pressure on the government to finalize public sector base pay negotiations before the 2026 budget presentation to Parliament in November 2025. The urgency stems from escalating living costs and economic challenges faced by workers.

In a discussion on PM Express on Tuesday, GNAT President Rev. Isaac Owusu stressed the importance of concluding talks early to ensure the Finance Minister incorporates the agreement into the 2026 budget. “We know that next year’s budget will be read in November, so there is a need for us to finish the negotiation so that the Finance Minister can factor such agreement into the budget,” he said.

Rev. Owusu highlighted the financial strain workers have endured in 2025, stating, “We have tightened our belts for the whole of 2025, so we can’t continue to tighten them in 2026. Whatever is fairly due the Ghanaian worker, let us look at how best to push for it.” GNAT has set a minimum expectation of a 10% pay increment, with Rev. Owusu adding, “Even though we have not started the negotiations, 10 percent is our minimum expectation. Let’s see what happens.”

Broader Union Support

Other labour unions, such as the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) and the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), have echoed similar demands. They insist that concluding negotiations before the budget presentation is critical to avoid delays and ensure fair compensation for all public sector workers.

As the 2026 budget approaches, the government faces mounting pressure to address these demands, balancing workers’ expectations with fiscal realities.

Stay updated with Seekers Consult 247 for the latest developments on labour negotiations and economic policies in Ghana.