[ 2014-10-22 ]

Labour strike “unlawful, amazing & disrespectful” – Gov’t
The government of Ghana has described
Wednesday’s planned industrial strike by eight
labour unions as “unlawful, amazing and
unilateral.”

The labour unions are using the strike action to
protest the refusal of government to settle their
tier two pension allowance since 2011. They are
the Coalition of Concerned Teachers, Ghana
National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National
Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Public
and Health Service Workers Union and the Ghana
Registered Nurses Association.

Others are the Government Hospital Pharmacists
Association, Ghana Medical Association (GMA) and
the Civil and Local Government Staff Association
(CLOGSAG).

The Minister of Employment and Labour Relations,
Haruna Iddrisu, has condemned the intended strike
that kicks off Wednesday, October 22. He expressed
his “disquiet and disaffection” over the turn
of event since his office has engaged in both
“formal and informal sessions on this issue.”

He said the workers have refused to honour an
October 14 invitation he sent to them to dialogue
over the matter and that clearly smacks of
disrespect.

“They must respect government as an employer and
wish to assure Ghanaians that their pension is
assured,” Iddrisu told Accra-based Joy FM. “It
does not benefit anybody for the State to lose any
money over a matter that can be resolved.”

According to him, the strike is “uncalled for”
and “really amazing” because the labour front
failed to give government an advance notice.

“I want to assure Ghanaians that their pensions
are secured and safe,” he added. “We are
prepared to pay early next year… They have
simply refused to come for discussion and their
decision is unilateral… The cost to the State
will be colossal.”

A leading member of the striking workers Reynolds
Tenkorang denied ever receiving an invitation from
the minister last week, adding it was only on
Tuesday that they heard from the minister’s
outfit which “was too late.”

“We were surprised that we have arranged to meet
to declare the strike before 12 noon then we heard
of an invitation… I want the minister to admit
that 100% of the money is for the workers and that
the second tier of the fund must be run by the
private sector,” he maintained.

Source - MyjoyOnline

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