Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2003, published 92nd ILC session (2004)

Minimum Wage-Fixing Machinery Convention, 1928 (No. 26) - Ghana (Ratification: 1959)

The Committee notes the information provided in the Government’s report in reply to its previous request.

Articles 1, paragraph 1, and 2, of the Convention. The Committee notes that, under the Minimum Wage Regulations, 1990 (L.I. 1495), certain categories of workers such as piece-workers, apprentices and persons working less than an average of 27 hours a week are excluded from the coverage of the statutory minimum wage. In this respect, the Committee requests the Government to clarify whether, and if so, how minimum wage rates are fixed in respect of those workers and to transmit copies of any relevant text(s). The Committee also notes the Government’s indication that the minimum wage is at present set at 7,150 cedis per day. It would be grateful if the Government would communicate a copy of the regulatory instrument fixing the current national minimum wage and specify whether any exemptions still apply with respect to that rate.

Article 3, paragraph 2(2). The Committee notes the Government’s statement that the Tripartite Committee on Salaries and Wages consists of an equal number of government, employers’ and workers’ representatives who consult among themselves and determine the national minimum wage. The Committee would be interested in receiving additional information on the functioning of this Committee, i.e. the scope of consultations, the decision-making process, the frequency of its meetings, the criteria used in determining the level of the national minimum wage, etc. The Committee would also be pleased to receive a copy of the legislative or regulatory text establishing the Tripartite Committee on Salaries and Wages and defining its mandate.

Article 5 and Part V of the report form. The Committee notes that, according to the information provided by the Government, 580 inspections in industrial establishments were carried out in 2001. It requests the Government to provide further information on the results of these inspections (e.g. the number of violations of minimum wage provisions reported, the penalties imposed, etc.) and expresses the hope that the Government will continue to supply all available data which would enable the Committee to better evaluate the effect given to the Convention in practice.