By: Bright Agamah
Organized Labour has called off its intended strike, which should have started on Tuesday, December 27, 2022.
It follows the government’s decision to exempt all pension funds from the domestic debt exchange programme.
Organized Labour at a News Conference on (22-12-2022) said “after extensive engagement with the government, an understanding was reached for All pension funds to be exempted from the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme.
A Memorandum of Understanding issued by Government and organized Labour stated that, Government has decided to grant exemption to all pension funds in the
Domestic Debt Exchange (DDE) Programme.
Government and Organized Labour/Associations shall, however, work together to explore mutually beneficial options within debt sustainability limits and to also promote macroeconomics stability and economic recovery in the spirit of social partnership.
The MOU was signed by the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Ignatius Baffour Awuah, and Ministry of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, for government, while, Secretary General, Trade Union Congress TUC, Ghana, Dr. Anthony Yaw Baah, initialled for Organised Labour/ Associations. The Ministry of National Security was also represented at the meeting that agreed to the MOU.
The TUC Secretary General, Dr. Anthony Yaw Baah, who addressed the media on behalf of Organized Labour, commended the Chairman of the Council of State, Nana Otuo Siriboe,
for his role in getting the issues resolved.
Dr. Baah, praised workers leaders and Ghanaian workers for the solidarity displayed in getting the understanding reached with government on the debt exchange programme impasse.
Government on 5th December, 2022, made an announcement on Domestic Debt Exchange (DDE) Programme. Since the announcements, labour unions have warned government against using Pension Funds in the Programme.
On 19th December, 2022, Organised Labour/ Associations, issued a one Week ultimatum to government to publicly announce the exemption of all Pension Funds from the Domestic Debt Exchange (DDE) Programme, failure which workers will embark on an indefinite strike on 27th December, 2022.
With the decision by government to exempt all Pension Funds from the Domestic Debt Exchange (DDE) Programme, the intended strike scheduled for 27th December, 2022 has been called off.
Organized Labour/ Associations, urged all workers to go to work 27th December, 2022.