Railway workers call off strike

The Ghana Railway Workers Union has called off its strike after reaching an agreement with the National Labour Commission.

The Union declared a strike, 11 days ago after all efforts aimed at getting their salary arrears and pension contributions from the Ministry of Finance failed.

Speaking to Citi Business News, the General Secretary of the Railway Workers Union, Godwill Ntarmah said that the union decided to call of the strike as a result of a partial release of the funds by the Ministry of Finance to the Controller and Accountant General.

“The decision to end the withdrawal of the services is as a result of the release of part of government's financial support by the Ministry of Finance to the Controller and Accountant General's Department to enable payment of salaries  arrears to railway workers,” he said.

He maintained that the, it is imperative for the Ministry of Finance to redeem its pledge of clearing all the arrears and the pension contributions to prevent another strike.

“It is our wish that the Ministry of Finance will take the necessary steps to release the outstanding financial support and subsequent ones on time to avert any unpleasant situation in the future,” he cautioned.

 Background
The union declared an indefinite strike after a meeting with National Labour Commission (NLC) and the Ministry of Transport proved unproductive.

This was after it threatened to embark on a strike on Monday, September 12, 2016 but was subpoenaed by the NLC to attend a meeting with the Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Transport.

According to union, the Ministry of Finance failed to turn up at that meeting, hence the deliberation was inconclusive.

The workers have demanded for salary arrears for two months, as well  as SSNIT contributions.

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By: Lawrence Segbefia/citibussinessnews.com/Ghana