The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), Dr. George Smith-Graham, has proposed the introduction of an hourly wage system across all employment sectors in Ghana, aimed at enhancing fairness in compensation especially for casual and low-income workers.
Dr. Smith-Graham made the proposal during a working visit by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Employment, Labour Relations, and Pensions to the Commission’s offices on May 16, 2025.
He emphasized that an hourly pay structure would not only ensure better compensation for casual laborers but also help formalize the informal sector, which employs a large portion of Ghana’s workforce. Additionally, he said it would improve transparency in salary administration and facilitate access to social protection benefits.
“This will help to bridge the income disparity between permanent and casual workers and bring greater dignity to all forms of labour,” Dr. Smith-Graham noted.
The current salary structure, he argued, does not adequately cater to the needs of temporary and non-standard workers, many of whom are excluded from benefits such as pensions, healthcare, and job security.
The Parliamentary Committee welcomed the insights and indicated its readiness to collaborate with the Commission to explore the feasibility of such a reform.
The proposal comes at a time when Ghana’s labour landscape is grappling with wage concerns, rising cost of living, and calls for stronger worker protections—especially for those in the informal economy, which constitutes more than 80% of the workforce.
If adopted, Ghana would join a growing number of countries exploring hourly pay structures as a tool for wage equity and inclusive economic growth.
