Daily Minimum Wage Increased To GH¢14.88

The National Tripartite Committee (NTC) has directed a review of the 2023 National Daily Minimum Wage (NDMW) from GHC 13.53 to GHC 14.88, effective January 1, 2023.

This represents a 10% increment from the 2022 wage.

The decision was made after the NTC, which includes representatives from government, employers, and organized labor, concluded its meeting on November 16, 2022, in accordance with Section 113(1)(a) of the Labour Act of 2003 (Act 651).

In a statement, the NTC noted that the new pay was chosen “taking into account present economic challenges, cost of living, viability of enterprises, and desirability of achieving a high level of employment, as well as the necessity for speedy restoration of macroeconomic stability.”

The National Tripartite Committee (NTC) also advocated against taxing the National Daily Minimum Wage and cautioned employers against paying staff less than the increased minimum wage.

“All establishments, institutions, or organizations whose daily minimum wage is below the 2021 national daily minimum wage should adjust their wages accordingly effective January 1, 2023.”

“Any establishment, institution, or organization that flouts the new rate shall be sanctioned in accordance with the law,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, the committee has further agreed to a 15% cost of living allowance (COLA) for all public sector workers, effective January 1, 2023.

The decision of the NTC comes at a time when households are lamenting the rising costs of consumables and increasing levels of hardship caused by inflation, the depreciation of the cedi, and the global economic crisis.