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I'm disappointed in workers' unlawful strike - Haruna Iddrisu

By MyJoyOnline
General News I'm disappointed in workers' unlawful strike - Haruna Iddrisu
OCT 21, 2014 LISTEN

Employment and Labour Relations Minister, Haruna Iddrisu has unequivocally expressed his disquiet and utmost disappointment at the indefinite strike declared by public sector workers.

He told Francis Abban on Joy FM's Top Story Tuesday that the strike, which is expected to start from Wednesday October 22, 2014, is “unlawful”.

Twelve public sector groups at a press conference today declared the indefinite strike over issues relating to their pension scheme.

The unionised bodies are rejecting government's imposition of the Pension Alliance Trust, and also calling on the government to allow the full operationalisation of the Public Sector Pension Scheme, but they are not making any headway in this.

But Haruna Iddrisu said both formal and informal discussions between his outfit and the unions are still in progress and he was therefore surprised by the development.

For instance, the hurdle of imposition was surmounted in the last meeting and the only challenge left unresolved is how the pension fund should be managed, he said.

He indicated bad faith in the position taken by the workers since they refused to attend a meeting he had scheduled for today at 3:30pm. He said official notification to that effect was sent to the groups on 14 th  October 2014.

He stressed that he is equally “amazed” by the development and the workers' decision to “simply refuse” to dialogue with government.

“Let's me express disquiet and utmost disappointment that they have to embark on this course of action, particularly since as far back as 14 th  October, I sent official notification to them for us to have a meeting today at 3:30pm. Labour turned down that invitation this afternoon.

“It is clearly unlawful, they have not served government notice, in accordance with Act 651 of the Labour Act, of their intention of a strike action to boycott work”.

The government wants to help in the management of the pension scheme for “fear of possible risk in future,” the Labour Minister underscored, assuring that the workers' pension is “secure and safe”.

“There is difference between an employer-run scheme and government remains the employer, whether they accept it or not, government is the employer and the scheme must be controlled and regulated in a manner that tomorrow in the event of flooding, government can take absolute responsibility in guaranteeing the security of those persons who would have retired after dedicated service to the scheme and to the republic.”

Nonetheless, the strike will come off tomorrow, Acting General Secretary of the Health Service Workers' Union (HSWU), Reynolds O. Tenkorang told Joy News, explaining that the Minister's invitation came too late.

He said despite the fact that government has bent over the imposition, it is proposing the unions form a 'one block team' with government having five representatives and they having four representatives.

“This is improper and against the law,” he told government, “any risk rests on us".

“100% of the money is for we the workers, it is not for government, it is not public money…as for the strike we have declared it already, and tomorrow by all means it will start,” Mr. Tenkorang insisted.

  Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com| Isaac Essel | [email protected] | twitter @isaacessel

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