Economy has not collapsed but very weak: TUC Dep Gen Sec

12-11-15         

    

The Deputy General Secretary of the Ghana Trades Union Congress, GTUC, Dr Yaw Baah, has hinted that recession in the country’s economy has come as a result of conditionalities attached to favours from the Bretton Woods institutions, particularly the IMF and that Ghanaians should not expect good news from the 2016 budget statement which will be read before the end of the year. 

He said government went in for the 900 million dollar IMF bailout with the hope to rejuvenate and win the confidence of the nation but with the current state of the economy, the prospect of the country is uncertain. 

Dr Baah, who was addressing members of the various labour unions in Bolgatanga, said though the situation leaves hope of despair, the economy has not collapsed but was very weak. 

This, he stated, requires great deal of sacrifices and renewed partnership from government and the GTUC. 

The meeting organised under the auspices of the Bolgatanga Regional and District Councils of Labour was intended to update participants on current issues affecting the interest of all workers in Ghana. 

It was also to prepare the minds of unionize members of the upcoming TUC congress to be held in August next year. 

This is one of the last quarter meetings to be held among labour unions in 170 districts across the country.

 In due course, the various district councils will have their last meetings before the close of the year in preparation to congress next year, which will see to the election of new TUC executives. 

Issues discussed at the meeting include the National Minimum Wage, the Single Spine Salary Structure, public sector allowances, pensions and utility tariff review among others. 

On workers welfare, Dr Baah said public sector employees have over the years made sacrifices and have succumbed to harsh policies from government.

 He said in 2013, workers agreed not to take pay increment, and in 2014, there was no pay increase only the 10 percent cost of living allowance given to workers across board.

 Relatively, 2015 had witnessed 13 percent salary increment over 2013 basic salary, though the 10 percent pay rise which is below inflational level is schedule to take effect early next year.  

 Additionally, there has been astronomical increase in tariffs by the PURC and workers despite the difficulties, have adjusted to such tariff reviews.

 According to Dr Baah, all these are ample indications of sacrifices made by workers in the face of the country’s economic decline. 

On tariffs, Dr Baah, said it was unfair for Ghanaians to pay over 100 percent tariffs. 

He said the rationale for the routine tour by the TUC was to mobilise union against the high tariff proposals by the various regulatory bodies namely, the VRA, GRIDCO, NEDCO and the Ghana Water Company. 

He announced that at a recent meeting held between the TUC and the PURC, union made it clear that they have listened to the technical justification of the tariff review but the truth still hold that Ghanaians cannot afford to pay. 

However the stance taken by TUC does not suggest that Ghanaians will not pay but already Ghanaians are overburden to respond to their proposal. 

Dr Baah told Radio Ghana's Isaac Asare that a meeting has been scheduled between TUC and the PURC next Tuesday over tariff review and hope that the PURC will listen to the plight of Ghanaians by  coming  out with realistic tariffs.

GBC NEWS                                     END