No employer should pay below minimum wage – Rashid Pelpuo

The Minister-designate for Labour, Jobs, and Employment, Dr. Rashid Pelpuo, has vowed to enforce the country’s minimum wage laws and support discussions on a possible review of the retirement age.

Speaking before the Appointments Committee on Thursday, January 30, 2025, he made it clear that no employer would be allowed to pay below the legally approved minimum wage.

“If we agree on a minimum wage, the law is that it cuts across every organization. You shouldn’t pay below that wage. So, if we find anybody doing that, you will be questioned and if you are found guilty you will face the law,” he stated.

His remarks come amid rising concerns over the treatment of workers, with reports of some companies failing to comply with wage regulations.

Ghana’s minimum wage is meant to provide a fair income for employees, but enforcement has remained a challenge, particularly in the informal sector.

“Ghanaians should not be cheated. We know how much the minimum wage is and if you can’t pay up to that then it will bring many questions on your kind of organization,” he added.

Beyond wages, Dr. Pelpuo also weighed in on ongoing discussions about raising the retirement age, a subject that has sparked mixed reactions from labour unions and policymakers.

“There’s a lot of talk about reviewing the retirement age now. Some say up to 65 or 70. I think it should come as a result of a harmonious decision,” he noted.

“We will need as Ghanaians to consider whether it is time for us to do so or not…I will go along with the many who would pose a view that there is a need for a reform given our economy and our capacity to deal with it.”

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