Make FWSC Independent – PSWU

Richard Amparbeng, Deputy General Secretary of PSWU

The Deputy General Secretary of Public Services Workers’ Union (PSWU), Richard Amparbeng has called on organized labour to consider making the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) an independent body to enable it deal with issues and complaints expediously.

This, according to him, would make the Commission serve workers better, take major decisions devoid of ministerial directives in consultation with the leadership of the various workers’ unions in the country.

Amparbeng made these known during the Western Regional Quadrennial Delegates Conference held in Takoradi last Tuesday to review the Union’s performance in the past, brainstorm on the way forward and elect regional officers.

He disclosed that out of 42 organizations which have migrated onto the FWSC, 17 are PSWU affiliates, adding “our strategy for the migration of our members under the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) is that by August 2011 all our affiliates should migrate.”

He also hinted that the Union would ensure that all anomalies that had arisen out of the migration were rectified by September this year and that the Union expect the arrears of members to be  paid.

The Deputy General Secretary said it was the expectation of the Union that the Public Sector Standing Joint Negotiating Committee would expedite the negotiation process and come out with an acceptable Base Pay and Relativity Ratio.

“As a matter of fact, most of the problems and the agitations by a section of workers against the implementation of the SSSS could be traced to the low Base Pay and Relativity Ration”,  he emphasized.

Sammy Henry Gharbin, Western Regional Industrial Relations Officer of the Union said the regional branch is expanding because of the mother union, which has adopted prudent policies, has the welfare of members at heart.

He advised members in the various district to attend regular meetings and act in accordance with constitution of the Union at all times.

The Regional Delegates Conference later elected Joseph Debrah-Gyamfi as its western regional chairman, Charles Thompson as first vice-chairman, Gladys Osman as second vice-chairperson while Frank Adetsu and Yaw Amoako Gyasi were elected first trustee and second trustee respectively.

From Sam Mark Essien, Takoradi