Malik Basintale, Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), has vowed to safeguard young workers in Ghana by rejecting job contracts that fall below the national minimum wage.
Speaking on TV3, Mr. Basintale emphasized his commitment to fair wages, stating, “I will never sign any agreement that falls below the minimum wage. I cannot pay the Ghanaian youth less than that.”
He described substandard wages as “unfair and unacceptable,” adding, “You can’t give someone a job and pay them so little that it doesn’t even last a few days. That’s not right.”
Mr. Basintale expressed support for young people who decline poorly paid jobs, saying, “If the salary is 200 cedis and they say they won’t work, I understand them. I stand with them.”
Mr. Basintale criticized “papa jobs” – low-paying roles that fail to support a decent standard of living – and pledged to repeat his opposition: “I have always said I’m against ‘papa jobs’. And I will repeat it as many times as needed.”
He stressed that any employment deal he signs must ensure a fair income for workers, saying, “We’re not asking for huge amounts. Young people just want enough to live on – to afford three meals a day.”
The YEA boss highlighted the importance of business-friendly policies, citing former President John Mahama’s leadership as an example.
He credited lower inflation, a stronger cedi, and reduced taxes with enabling businesses to offer better wages. “When businesses make profit, they should be able to pay their workers properly,” he said. “That is how we build a better country.”