The Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG) has renewed its call on government to urgently address delayed pension payments, outstanding surcharges, and the long-delayed implementation of salary reforms for its members.
Speaking during the May Day celebrations, the Executive Secretary of CLOGSAG, Isaac Bempoe Addo, criticised what he described as inaction by the pension regulator, insisting it has failed to operate within the requirements of the law.
“The regulator is powerless and has not acted according to the requirements of the law and seems to condone the negative impact on the pension earnings of contributors,” he said.
He explained that pension benefits are directly tied to salary levels and contribution amounts, warning that stagnant wages within the civil and local government services will continue to negatively affect retirees.
“Therefore, the lower the salary level of a contributor, the lower the resultant pension,” he stated, adding that failure to improve salary structures worsens inequality in retirement earnings.
CLOGSAG is demanding immediate payment of pension deductions and an end to what it describes as unlawful non-payment of surcharges.
The association also wants government to clear pension arrears covering August to December 2024, including all associated surcharges.
“Failure to do this means that government wants to subject CLOGSAG constituents to endless suffering,” he warned.
Mr Addo further urged government to conclude the implementation of the unique salary structure and related service conditions for members, describing the current situation as a “Ko fie Ko wu” pension system.
Quoting the 1944 Philadelphia Declaration of the International Labour Organization (ILO), he stressed the wider implications of unresolved labour concerns.
“Poverty anywhere constitutes a danger to prosperity everywhere,” he said.
He reaffirmed that CLOGSAG will continue to advocate for fair and improved conditions of service for its members as the struggle for reforms continues.
