2021 Salary Increment: We accepted 4% Increment to allow for New Recruitment into the GES – GNAT

EducationGhana, July 29, Salaries: The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has said that its representatives on the negotiation table for the 2021 salary increment accepted a 4% increment government offer to allow for the recruitment of new teachers from the Colleges of Education for the 2021 and 2022 Academic years.

The GNAT said though it went to the negotiation table with a 15% target for 2021 salary increment, it had only 4& from the government with conditions.

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Government’s Negotiation

Speaking on United Television News discussion on July 26, 2021, Mr Nii Baah, a GNAT representative in charge of Salaries said the government threatened to freeze recruitment of teachers from the Colleges of Education for two years should they accept the 15% salary increment.

He added that the government brought a 0% salary increment for public sector workers with the assurance of recruiting teachers from Colleges fr the next two academic years or accept their 15% and forfeit recruitment for the said number of Academic years.

Subsequently, after consistent agitations from the organised labour on the increment rates, both parties finally agreed on a 4% increment for 2021 and 7% for 2022.

Mr Nii Baah said the government explained that an increment of salaries beyond 4% will increase its wage bill to GH¢300M, a situation that will affect the recruitment of teachers for the next two academic years.

Evidence of Gov’t’s claims

Responding to questions relating to the perspective of labour Unions on the fact that the economic indicators, as proposed by the government, could not truly allow for a higher salary increment, Mr Nii Baah said it was evident that the COVID-19 pandemic affected the economy.

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