Fair Wages boss proposes hourly pay system to raise casual worker incomes

The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), Dr. George Smith-Graham, is advocating for the introduction of an hourly wage system across all sectors as a strategic move to enhance income fairness, particularly for casual and low-income workers.

Dr. Smith-Graham made the call on Friday, May 16, 2025, during a familiarisation tour by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Employment, Labour Relations, and Pensions.

The committee visited the FWSC, the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA), and the Management Development and Productivity Institute (MDPI).

According to him, hourly wages would not only better compensate casual labourers but also help formalise the growing informal sector. He added that such a model would improve transparency in salary calculations and help workers gain access to social protection.

“If we begin to look at an hourly wage structure, it will allow casual workers to be better compensated for their time and could help reduce income inequalities in the labour market,” he noted.

During the Committee’s visit to the NPRA, officials outlined current provisions that allow permanently unemployed individuals aged 50 and above to access their tier-2 pension funds—provided they obtain verification from their last employer and approval from the Labour Department.

NPRA’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Chris Boadi-Mensah, also proposed a review of Ghana’s retirement age. He recommended increasing it from 60 to 65 years to ensure the long-term sustainability of the pension system.

He cautioned that the present structure could become financially unsustainable if not reformed, potentially undermining future payouts.

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