TDCL gives Government two-week ultimatum

Tema, Oct. 12, GNA - The Tema District Council of Labour (TDCL), had given the Government a two-week ultimatum to waive taxes on overtime, incentives and bonuses for workers.

They had, however, threatened to go onto the streets, and withdraw their overtime services, if the problem was not solved within the two-week period.

At a meeting with the Deputy Minister of Manpower, Youth and Employment in Tema on Wednesday, the workers expressed regret about the way Government was handling their concerns, and said it was an indication that "Government is not taking the concerns of workers seriously".

They recalled their previous demonstration, which was called off, because of assurances from the National Tripartite Committee (NTC) to find a lasting solution to their problems and stated that; "the issue is sensitive and can be a recipe for chaos in future, if a lasting solution is not found to it".

According to the workers, some professionals in the country received bonuses, but paid no taxes on them, and mentioned for instance, the current 100,000 dollars given to the Black Stars after they won their match in Cape Verde.

The Deputy Minister of Manpower Youth and Employment, Dr Charles Brempong-Yeboah, assured the workers that Government had taken their concerns seriously and would do all it could to find lasting solutions to them.

Mr Kofi Asamoah, Deputy Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress, stated that, taxes should not be the sole burden of workers in the formal sector, but their colleagues in the informal sector as well. Mr Asamoah reminded the workers that even though Government had the responsibility to ensure that workers paid taxes, it equally had a role to play in ensuring that the burden of taxes on them was reduced.