Striking workers vow to pour fuel into fire with nationwide demo

Striking public sector workers have vowed to face government at all fronts if their tier two pensions request are not met.

Not satisfied with the impact of the strike that has left the country's education and health sectors virtually on their knees, the workers are looking forward to organising a nationwide demonstration to drum home their requests to government.

Perpetual Ofori Ampofo, General Secretary of the Ghana Registered Nurses Association told Joy News' Dzifa Bampoh the "demonstration will add fuel to fire that is burning."

"It is indeed true that we are also considering the demonstration as an important tool to make everybody understands what we are asking for and get everybody's support," Ofori Ampofo said.

She was unequivocal in demanding that the monies accrued under the tier two pension scheme are sent to the accounts of the custodians for onward submission to the fund managers selected by the workers.

"If something else is brought to the table- just a scheme and one fund manager which is Alliance Trust" then it means government is ready for war, she hinted.

It's been six working days of strike action and already the populace are bearing the brunt.

The workers want to have a say in how their five per cent tier two pension fund is administered, and to also choose their own trustees and fund managers.

But government insists it cannot trust the administration of the funds into the hands of workers' unions and have chosen the Pensions Alliance Trust to manage the scheme on behalf of the workers.

Perpetual Ofori Ampofo said government cannot have its way. The strike, she noted is to draw government's attention to its poor handling of the scheme and not to punish the populace.

She said if government changes its position tomorrow the workers will also back down on their actions.

'Jittery Government'
Her position was also corroborated by the Spokesperson of the Forum for Public Sector Registered Scheme, Reynolds Tinkorang who told Joy News' Fred Smith they are ready to fight the "jittery" government in order to secure their future and retire comfortably.

He said on two occasions government has had to withdraw complaints it filed at the National Labour Commission against the striking workers- a demonstration that government is jittery and does not know how to solve the problem, he pointed out.

Having met with their lawyers, the workers say they are ready to meet with the Labour and Employment Minister tomorrow to begin negotiations.

While at the negotiation table, Reynolds Tinkorang said they would be exploring other avenues, including the demostration, to ensure that the workers demands are met.