The imposition of restrictions and the recently lifted partial lockdown came with some economic pressure, as some homes – contrary to government advice – engaged in panic-buying to stock essential items, especially food.

The pay rise came into effect after the Ministry of Finance directed the Controller & Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) that from March 2020, 15 per cent of the 2020 monthly basic salary is to be paid as a premium to staff of the civil service and local government service workers. The directive said the payment will take effect from January 1, 2020. As a result, associated arrears are to be paid in a single tranche at the end of March 2020.

The letter further stated that the payment brings closure to all issues contained in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, the Ministry of Finance and Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and the Civil and Local Government Staff Association Ghana (CLOGSAG) on August 18, 2016, in which the 15 per cent premium was agreed.

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Since the beginning of the year, Civil and Local Government Staff were given a 10 per cent increase in salaries, a move that was contrary to the MoU signed.

CLOGSAG threatened to embark on a strike in early March to express their displeasure against government’s decision not to honour the demand for a 15 per cent increment in premium for its members since January.

The threat was issued after the Office of the Head of the Civil Service sent a communique indicating that the increment in salaries, which took effect at the beginning of 2020, was an error.

Source – https://www.ghanaweb.com/

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