Government, Organised Labour Commit to Quarterly Consultations on FWSC-IPEC Transition
By Staff Reporter
The Government has committed to a lawful and orderly transition from the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) to the proposed Independent Emoluments Commission (IPEC), with Organised Labour guaranteed quarterly consultations on reforms affecting workers.
The commitment forms part of an agreement signed on October 28, 2026, by the Chief Executive of the FWSC, Dr George Smith-Graham, and the Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Bro. Joshua Ansah.
Under the agreement, the proposed transition will involve the development of a legislative framework, institutional design, a National Emoluments Policy, a National Negotiations Policy and a performance- and productivity-linked pay framework.
The Government is also expected to address stakeholder consultations and operational readiness as part of the transition process.
The agreement further provides that the FWSC and other existing institutions will retain their lawful functions until any transfer of authority takes legal effect, signalling that the transition must follow the appropriate legal procedures.
Quarterly consultations
A key provision of the agreement is the commitment to consult Organised Labour every quarter on reforms that affect workers.
The arrangement is intended to ensure that organised labour has an opportunity to engage with the Government on institutional and policy changes that could influence public-sector remuneration and employment conditions.
However, the agreement does not specify the precise format of the consultations or the detailed implementation timetable for the proposed reforms.
Remuneration negotiations for 2027 and 2028
The parties have also agreed that negotiations on public-service remuneration for 2027 and 2028 are settled by the agreement.
They have committed to constructive dialogue and the peaceful resolution of disputes arising during implementation, using established negotiation mechanisms and lawful dispute-resolution procedures.
The commitment places emphasis on industrial harmony and the use of established processes to address disagreements between the parties.
Agreement to run for two years
The agreement will take effect on January 1, 2027, and remain in force until December 31, 2028.
Dr Smith-Graham and Bro. Ansah signed the document in the presence of the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, and the General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Mr Thomas T. Musah.
The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between the Government and organised labour on public-sector remuneration, institutional reforms and dispute resolution over the two-year period.
