The Chief Executive Officer of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), Ing Benjamin Arthur, has intensified calls for the 1992 Constitution to be reviewed.

According to him, he supports the call, imploring a provision be made to make FWSC an independent emolument commission where emolument and benefits of every public sector worker would be covered by Fair Wages including that of the president, his vice, and Members of Parliament.

The FWSC, established by the government of Ghana under the FWSC Act, 2007 (Act 737), is responsible for implementing the Government of Ghana’s Public Service Pay Policy.

The commission likewise advises the government on salary-related matters, including job analysis, job evaluation, performance management, and allowances.

It equally works to promote fairness, equity, and transparency in public services compensation and benefits.

Yet the 1992 Constitution has created what has been described as 'class system' where certain public officials particularly Article 71 office holders are exempted from receiving their emolument and benefits under the FWSC.

Ing Arthur, responding to questions at a press soiree on Monday November 25, emphasised the need for a constitutional review to make FWSC an independent body responsible for government payroll policy which covers emolument and benefits of all public officials including Article 71 office holders.

He noted the commission’s mandate did not cover Article 71 office holders and the commission had no business in their emolument and benefits.

“Anybody promising to scrap the Article 71 provision in the constitution is seeking review of the constitution. And we believe at Fair Wages that if the constitution is reviewed to create Fair Wages as an independent emolument commission where every public sector worker would be covered by Fair Wages including the President, Vice, Parliamentarians, and everybody that would be the best approach,” he said.

“During late President Mills’ time where recommendations were made for review of the constitution, it was captured in it that we need to move away from where we have a group of people being attended to by some other scattered entities,” he recounted.

The FWSC boss maintained the commission was for a review of the constitution such that Fair Wages would become the single body that would handle public sector emolument.

Ing Arthur used the opportunity to share with the media the following significant strides the Commission had made since 2014.

1. Successful Implementation of the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS): We have harmonised public service salaries, worked efficiently towards eliminating disparities and ensuring fairness.

2. Completed Negotiations and Signed Agreements: From the beginning of this year to date, we have completed and signed negotiation agreements with 44 unions and institutions.

3. Migration to New Grade Structure: The Commission has successfully migrated seven institutions to the new grade structure.

4. Linking Pay to Performance: We are working with stakeholders to link pay to productivity and have so far sensitised nine (9) institutions.

5. Payroll Monitoring: Through the Nationwide Payroll Monitoring exercise we saved the country a significant amount of GHc345 million.

He commended whistle-blowers for their crucial role in uncovering irregularities in the public sector.

He said, despite the above achievements, the commission faced challenges on the labour front due to the circumstances of 2024 being an election year.

He underlined there had been 14 industrial actions by labour unions within the year yet the commission managed to ensure these were called off.

However, he was quick to add the commission would continue to engage with unions and stakeholders to address concerns and promote peaceful labour relations.