[ 2016-05-03 ]

ECG workers to embark on sit-down strike
Workers of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG)
are expected to embark on a sit-down strike in
their offices across the country today [Tuesday].

They are dissatisfied with what they say is
government’s plan to outsource some services of
the company.

According to them, the move could lead to worker
retrenchment and other unforeseen consequences.

Citi News’ Sixtus Dong Ullo who visited some ECG
offices in Accra reported that “some big banners
with the inscription ‘MIDA stop ECG
privatization now, leave ECG alone’ were seen at
the main entrance of those offices in protest
against government’s intended move.

The National Divisional Chairman of the Junior
Staf Union of ECG, Benedict Kanose told Citi News,
ECG workers are unhappy about government dealings
with Millenium Development Authority (MIDA),
leading the public private partnership.

“We are showing our displeasure, the way MIDA is
handling things, we think it is not right. They
have to sit down with our leadership to really
iron issues out . We are not happy about how
things are going. We will wear our red bands, wear
our red T-shirts… because we are showing our
displeasure.”

When Ghana qualified under compact 2 of the
Millenuim Develepoment Challenge Account to
outsource client services to private sector
investors, assertions of the sale of the power
distributor became rife.

Workers within the electricity company joined
forces to oppose the fruition of any such plans.

President John Dramani Mahama was again forced to
clarify Ghana’s position on the deal at the
gathering of workers during this year’s May
day’s commemoration in Wa in the Upper West
Region and allayed the fears of the workers.

“ECG is and will remain a wholly owned state
owned enterprise. Government has no intentions of
privatizing ECG.

Government’s agreement under the Milleniuum
Challenge Compact is to leverage private sector
participation at the client level to assit in
resolving client complaints and revenue
collection. There will be no worker retrenchment
occurring as a result of this reform. “

Despite this clarification, workers are still
skeptical of government’s true intentions for
the company. From outright blames on government
for contributing largely to ECG’s woes to
suspicions of subtle anti worker dealings.

Some workers within the power sector who spoke to
Citi News remained doubtful of this public private
partnership under ECG.

Source - citifmonline.com

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