[ 2016-09-07 ]

Impact of labour unrests on power sector
Ghana’s power sector has within the last few
weeks been characterized by quite a number of
agitations on the labour front.

Concerns bordering on job losses, poor conditions
of work, management inefficiencies are but a few
of the reasons cited by the agitating workers.

The issues have also led to divided opinion among
industry watchers with some arguing for the
workers to be sacked.

For months, these kinds of agitations have
characterized the energy sector, which due to its
importance must be devoid of such developments.

It appears with the exception of GRIDCO and NEDCO
workers of all major state owned enterprises in
the energy sector have agitated in the form of
protests or strikes over the last weeks over
conditions of service or management of the
companies.

With the ECG for example, government’s decision
to cede part of the management of the company to a
private concessionaire; will lead to massive job
layoffs.

Workers of the company last week started their
protests with a three hour demonstration between 8
and 11 o’clock in the morning for three days.

The second; was a 2 day sit down strike which
ended on Monday.

A similar development is also brewing at the VRA
and Ghana Gas, while over the years TOR was
plagued with related concerns.

In the case of the VRA, its workers are demanding
that their CEO, Engineer Kirk Koffi be sacked over
an attempted takeover of the MRP Plant, Kpone
Thermal Power Plant (KTTP) Land, and the T3
Plant.

While in the case of Ghana Gas workers were
unhappy with some management decisions.

But the former CEO of the VRA, Dr. Charles Wereko
Brobby who experienced similar agitations leading
to his exit from the VRA believes the workers have
stepped out of line and must be brought to order.

He criticizes the workers’ union for targeting
policies of governments at the expense of
industrial relations with the election in mind.

But the Co-Chair of the Extractive Industries and
Transparency Initiative, Dr. Steve Manteaw
disagrees. He warns of dire consequence on the
economy if government fails to heed the concerns
of the workers.

Labour analyst, Austin Gammey however believes the
strikes adopted by the workers to get their issues
resolved, runs contrary to standard practice.

Source - citibsinessnews.com

... go Back