Public Sector Workers Union To Declare Nationwide Strike From 19th July, 2022

HonestyJuly 12, 2022

3 minutes read

The Public Sector Workers Union of TUG, Ghana through a press release wishes to inform the government and the general public that the union will begin an industrial action from Tuesday 19th July, 2022.

According to PSWU, the upcoming strike action is due to the current economic hardship in the country and the government refusal to approve the payment of Cost-of-Living Allowance (COLA) to cushion workers, followed by a written request on 24 June, 2022, albeit, without a response.

Again the press statement from PSWU, revealed that they are worried that the sacrifices made by Organized Labour during the last negotiations has been taken for granted. This situation is further worsened by the refusal of Government to grant mandate for the negotiation of institution-specific conditions of service for a number of organizations under the Single Spine, and sometimes its resort to delay tactics during negotiations.

Below Is The Full Statement Released by PSWU

DECLARATION OF STRIKE BY THE PSWU OF TUG GHANA FROM 19TH JULY, 2022

Inflation continues to rise with official figures tor May, 2022 at 27.6%, an 18-year high. This has led to frequent price increases and a constant erosion of the real value of the relatively low wages of public sector workers. This condition informed Organized Labour, led by the TUC (Ghana) at the 2022 May Day Parade to entreat the President of Ghana to approve the payment of Cost-of-Living Allowance (COLA) to cushion workers, followed by a written request on 24 June, 2022, albeit, without a response.

It could also be recalled, that as patriotic citizens and social partners in the development of Mother Ghana, organized Labour groups, including the PSWU took the hard decision, to the chagrin of members, to
accept a 4% and 7% salary increment respectively for 2021 and 2022. However, considering unfolding events such as relatively high salary increases for “Article 7l’ and related office holders and Government expenditure patterns, we are worried that the sacrifices made by Organized Labour during the last negotiations has been taken for granted. This situation is further worsened by the refusal of Government to grant mandate for the negotiation of institution-specific conditions of service for a number of organizations under the Single Spine, and sometimes its resort to delay tactics during negotiations.

The over 27,000 workers within the over 65 public sector institutions that make up the PSWU feel the economic crunch in their pockets, with each passing day resulting in uncertainties of meeting basic needs.
Obviously, a possible return to the IMF further complicates the economic uncertainties faced by public sector workers and flashes back memories of harsh labour policies that disadvantage the ordinary worker.

Noticeably, a decision to enter into an IMF programme risk a return to a harsh industrial atmosphere rife of conditionalities such as sale of critical and well pertorming national assets, redundancies, freeze on employment, freeze in wages (an intention denied by His Excellency the President during his Remarks at the 11″ Quadrennial Delegates Conference of the TUC (Ghana) in Kumasi on 23 March, 2021).

Further, for a number of workers who retired under the National Pensions (Amendment) Act, 2014 (Act 883) which came into full force on 1 January, 2020, the disparity in their lump sum payments as compared to those who retired under PNDCL 247 have not been resolved. This has led to the already
vulnerable members of our society, the aged, going through further economic hardships despite the firm assurances of the President to resolve this matter as far back as 13th October, 2020 in the heat of the Elections Campaign.

Consequently, at an Emergency Meeting of the Management Committee and representatives from the over 65 institutions that make up the PSWU, our members were left with no choice than to embark on a
Strike Action effective Tues. 19 ” July, 2022 until our concerns are addressed.

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