- PAC orders Karaga District Assembly to pay casual workers' allowances.
- Workers currently earn below minimum wage (100 GHS/month).
- PAC demands fair compensation for workers.
- Assembly has 1-month ultimatum to comply.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has issued a directive to the Karaga District Assembly to settle all outstanding allowances owed to casual workers. The committee emphasized the importance of fair and prompt compensation for these workers, who play a vital role in the assembly’s operations.
Currently, casual workers in the Karaga District Assembly receive a monthly allowance of 100 Ghana cedis, which is significantly below the national minimum wage. The national minimum wage, which translates to over 400 Ghana cedis per month, highlights the need for the assembly to ensure casual workers receive a living wage.
The PAC’s directive aims to improve the financial well-being of these workers, many of whom struggle to make ends meet due to inadequate remuneration. The committee began a two-day sitting in Tamale to examine audit reports of district assemblies, colleges of education, senior high schools, and technical universities in the region.
The PAC stressed that timely payment and fair wages are essential for fostering a motivated and productive workforce. Chairman James Klutse Avedzi highlighted the local government’s responsibility to prioritize the welfare of its workers.
The assembly has been given a one-month ultimatum to address these concerns, and failure to comply may result in further scrutiny from the committee. The District Coordinating Director, Alhassan Abdulai, acknowledged revenue generation challenges but assured affected workers that measures are in place to generate enough revenue for adequate and prompt payment.
