FWSC payroll monitoring exercise saves nation over GHC345 million, says Labour Minister

The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) has saved Ghana a significant amount of GHC345 million through the nationwide payroll monitoring exercise conducted in 2023.

The exercise, which covered 120 public sector institutions, aimed to reduce the wage bill and promote transparency in public sector employment.

The Minister for Employment, Labour Relations and Pensions, Ignatius Baffour Awuah, who announced this when he took his turn at the minister’s press briefing organised by the Ministry of Information in Accra on Wednesday (27 August), said the payroll monitoring exercise led to a significant reduction in the wage bill, resulting in substantial savings for the government.

Industrial harmony 

Baffour Awauh also highlighted the peaceful and stable labour front in Ghana, attributing it to the collective efforts of social partners.

He noted that the ministry, with support from key stakeholders, has resolved all industrial disputes that threatened peace and security in the country over the last seven and a half years.

“The ministry will continue with the work of improving the welfare of workers and employers while maintaining a peaceful labour front.”

Additionally, the minister mentioned the ongoing review of key sector legislation, including the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), to make it comprehensive and suitable for modern workplace needs.

He said the new Labour Bill includes reforms such as prohibited actions of private employment agencies, extension of maternity leave, and protection against violence and harassment in the world of work.

He expressed the government’s commitment to maintaining industrial peace and harmony, and ensuring the welfare of workers and employers.

“Government remains committed to rolling out new programmes to create employment and complement the delivery of public services,” he said.

Maintaining higher income

Baffour Awuah also emphasised the government’s commitment to maintaining high levels of income for both workers and pensioners, citing the highest adjustment of the Base Pay since the introduction of the Single Spine Pay Policy in 2010 and the 25% increment in monthly pensions for SSNIT pensioners.

Highlighting other achievements of the Ministry, he mentioned the strengthening of operational capacity of the Labour Department, job creation initiatives, and strengthening of pension management.

The minister warned jobseekers to be cautious of fraudulent employment schemes and emphasised that the Ministry was not a recruitment body.

Benefits of payroll monitoring 

During the question-and-answer session, the chief executive officer of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, Benjamin Arthur, emphasised that the payroll monitoring exercise aimed to ensure that public sector employees received accurate salaries, allowances, and benefits.

He said that, in addition to uncovering several anomalies, it had minimised ghost workers on the government payroll and enhanced the productivity of public sector workers.

“Overall, the payroll monitoring exercise has contributed to a more efficient, transparent, and accountable public sector payroll management system,” he said.

Reporting by Philip Abutiate in Accra

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