Accra, April 3, GNA - The National Tripartite Committee (NTC), which comprises the government, employers and labour, on Friday announced an 18 percent increase in the national daily minimum wage to GH¢2.655 for 2009.

A communique issued in Accra at the end of a tripartite committee meeting said the implementation of the new minimum wage would be April 1. The minimum wage for 2008 was GH¢ 2.25.

The communiqu=E9 was signed by Mr Stephen Amoanor Kwao, Minister for Employment and Social Welfare, Mr Alex Frimpong, Acting Executive Director of the Ghana Employers' Association and Mr Kofi Asamoah, Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress. It said the minimum wage was tax exempt. The communiqu=E9 said all institutions, organizations and establishments, which currently paid below the new minimum wage must adjust accordingly.

It said all social partners reiterated their commitment to dialogue to improve productivity and the socio-economic conditions of the country.

Mr Kwao said the delay in the determination of this year's wage was due to the short period of transition of power as a result of the change of government.

He called on labour to increase productivity to enable it to merit higher adjustment and also to allow for more resources for the development of the country.

Mr Frimpong and Mr Asamoah reiterated their commitment to dialogue to improve productivity and the socio-economic conditions in the country.