The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has urged the government to improve wages and working conditions of workers to prevent the loss of skilled workers at various institutions.
The Union warned that the increasing movement of skilled Ghanaian workers to Europe and North America threatened national development and economic progress.
Speaking at a labour forum in Accra on Friday, April 25, Dr. Kwabena Nyarko Otoo, Deputy Secretary-General of the TUC, emphasised the urgent need for better labour policies that would help retain critical talent within the country.
“We are seeing a steady drain of professionals, especially doctors, nurses, teachers, and engineers who are leaving in search of better opportunities abroad,” Dr. Otoo said.
He stated that the factors pushing them out were low wages, unsafe working conditions, and limited career growth, which must be urgently addressed.
He advocated for a significant increase in the national minimum wage, arguing that it should be aligned with the real cost of living to lift workers out of poverty.
“The reasonable proposition there is that we need to push up the minimum wage to a level that will allow minimum wage earners to escape poverty,” he said.
Dr. Otoo also explained the crucial difference between a minimum wage and a living wage, noting that the former considers an individual worker, while the latter supports both the worker and their family.
“Whatever I earn at work should be enough to cater for my family, but not just for myself. That’s the essence of a living wage,” he said.
Ghana’s current minimum wage of GH₵18.15 per day (as of 2024) is considered inadequate by many labour experts, especially in light of persistent inflation and the rising cost of living in urban centers.
Meanwhile, the TUC has repeatedly called for a living wage policy, arguing that decent work and fair pay are essential to national productivity and social stability.
Dr. Otoo also highlighted the need for stronger enforcement of labour laws, improved workplace standards, and investment in worker protections to boost morale and prevent further loss of skilled labour.
“Improving worker welfare is not just a moral duty, but it’s an economic strategy. Countries that prioritise decent jobs see better productivity, reduced inequality, and more inclusive growth,” he said.
He called for a national conversation on wage reform and workforce retention.