President of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Angel Carbonou, says prevailing economic conditions will heavily influence labour’s demands in the upcoming base pay negotiations with government.
Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Midday News on Wednesday, October 8, Mr. Carbonou noted that labour unions are preparing to enter talks with a clear understanding of the economic realities confronting both workers and the state.
They also want the government to finalise negotiations on public sector base pay before the presentation of the 2026 Budget to Parliament later this month.
“It’s always subject to negotiations, and it’s a reflection of the economic situation that affects our income and what it is capable of doing. We take into consideration rent, electricity and water tariffs, inflation, the stability of the cedi and other major currencies. All these factors will influence the percentage that labour will demand from government,” he explained.
He acknowledged that while some indicators point to economic improvement, the high cost of living continues to erode the purchasing power of workers.
Mr. Carbonou also stated that labour’s approach will be balanced, considering not only the welfare of existing workers but also the government’s ability to create jobs.
“We are not selfish to say that government should give all the money to us and leave out our brothers and sisters who have not yet been recruited — the nurses, teachers, and others waiting for employment. Their situation will also be a major factor at the negotiation table,” he said.
On what happens if labour’s expectations are not met, the NAGRAT president stressed that negotiations are about compromise, not confrontation.
“We have never gone to a negotiation and gotten exactly what we asked for. That is why it’s called a negotiation. Government comes to the table with its own constraints, and we meet somewhere in the middle,” he explained.
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