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| The salary policy and workers purchasing power |
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| Posted on: 2008-Sep-16 Ghanaian Times |
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There are certain obvious truths, which society inexplicably cannot always accept for what they are. For instance, when the cost of living soars above any tolerable level, salaries must increase in order for workers to cope with the rising costs.
Also, as much as salary increases could be desirable, they do not by themselves solve any problem of living standards in a society where it is so difficult, in fact almost impossible, to check profiteering by traders.
Whenever the government decides to raise the salaries of workers, traders also invariably increase the cost of their wares over and above the proposed percentage of salary increases.
Landlords also use every available means to increase their rents. This though does not constitute a general attack on landlords for increasing rents. We are all aware that building materials today cost a fortune. And if a landlord has effected certain minor or major repairs, conversions or alterations for the tenant's benefit, there could be justification for a reasonable increase in rentals rather than outright ejection of tenants with the usual excuse of “my son is returning home”.
Any unjustifiable increase in rents is damnable. The rent policy, as it stands now, somehow enables some landlords of ageing houses to unjustifiably increase rents, with the aim of catching up with the rents charged by landlords of newly built houses.
Neither the Trades Union Congress nor any other group is against the principle of increased salaries when the need manifests itself. The increases may, in fact, on paper look appreciable but after all the deductions the take-home salary comes to nothing.
The fanfare around general salary increases is what attracts the attention of traders and landlords. If only such salaries could be given to workers without fanfare, workers could be free from unkind landlords and traders.
This suggestion must be seriously considered to protect the country’s workers. Increase salaries whenever necessary, but do not publicise it in the media in a manner that would set the cheats and exploiters working hard and fast
There is another method by which the living standards of the people as a whole could be improved - price control. It is certainly not a novel idea but it can help.
The new salary policy must work to benefit all workers.
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