SSSS must come with increase in productivity

In spite of the unending resistance from civil and local government workers, the deputy Minister for Employment and Social Welfare, Mr Antwi Boasiako-Sekyere, is reported to have announced that government has been able to remove all bottlenecks bedeviling the implementation of the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS).
The report, which was carried by the Daily Graphic edition of Monday, 19 June, 2010 quoted the minister as saying “from the end of this month (June) all public sector workers will begin enjoying new salaries under the SSSS.”
He averred in the said report that with the execution of the SSSS, all other public sector salary would be abolished, pointing out that government is prepared to dialogue with any group that raises issue with it.
It is against this background that Today would like to echo the assertion of Mr George Smith-Graham, the Chief Executive of Fair Wages Commission (FWC), that the cost of implementing the new public pay policy can derail the national economy unless public workers reciprocate the reform with increase in productivity.
The paper is of the conviction that as government steps up its effort in muscling the financial standing of public workers, it would also be fair and prudent to say that workers, from this time around, have to also give off their best and eschew lackluster attitudes towards work.
It is an open secret that the collapse of many public institutions is as a result of bad management and lethargic approach to work by employees.
Although the relative rate of the Ghana Universal Salary Structure (GUSS) was three per cent as against 1.7 in respect of the SSSS, it is instructive to call on workers this time around to refrain from unwarranted strike actions that could impede or hamper the socio-economic development of our dear nation.
The future of workers without doubt appears bright as it is expected that more than 40 per cent of workers would be better off under the SSSS.
The paper would also urge government to intensify its monitoring outfits to ensure that the amount of money being used to cushion the adjustments is recouped as it has the tendency of derailing the national economy.

Today, on this inspiring note, seizes the opportunity to urge all labour groups to, in their own interest, sensitise their members on the new salary structure as well as adopt strategies on how best they could take full advantage of opportunities therein and work for the growth of our economy.