Ghana lottery authority, union reach consensus to resolve salary and tax issues
The Authority said the outstanding tax issues will be addressed alongside the salary negotiations as efforts continue to restore industrial harmony.
Ghana.- Ghana’s National Lottery Authority (NLA) and its local union have reached a consensus to resolve outstanding salary and income tax issues following a meeting involving government and labour officials.
The development comes after a dispute over the Authority’s 2026 salary increase, which led the union and staff to begin a sit-down strike on August 24. The union had sought a 17 per cent increase, while NLA management had proposed 12 per cent.
In February, the NLA sought guidance from the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) on the salary adjustment. The commission responded in June, recommending an 8 per cent increase based on the Authority’s financial position.
The latest engagement has resulted in a change in the FWSC’s position. The NLA indicated that the commission is now willing to consider management’s initial proposal of a 12 per cent salary increase.
The meeting held on Monday, August 24, brought together labour, jobs and employment relations minister Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo, FWSC chief executive officer George Smith Graham, NLA board chairman Frederick Amissah, NLA director-general Mohammed Abdul-Salamand representatives of the local union led by national executives of the Financial, Business and Services Employees Union (FBSEU).
The parties also agreed to resolve outstanding issues, including gaps created by the composition of income taxes affecting staff salaries.
The tax issue relates to changes in the treatment of income tax on staff salaries. The NLA had previously disclosed that it reached an agreement with the Ghana Revenue Authority to settle more than GH¢5m (US$446,827) in tax arrears covering 2016 to 2022 without passing the cost on to employees.
The Authority said the parties will work together to address the resulting tax gaps and settle the outstanding salary issues. Management has called on staff to remain calm and return to their duties while the discussions continue, with the aim of restoring industrial harmony.
The NLA reaffirmed its commitment to generating revenue for national development and providing services to its patrons.
