The Coalition Against Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Organized Labour in favour of Ghanian Workers, have warned the leadership of Organized Labour that, Ghanaian workers would not accept the inhumane 4% salary increment today or tomorrow unless 15%.
“Dr Anthony Yaw Baah of TUC and Bamford Addo of CLOGSAG please go back to the government with the tripartite committee members to review the 4% salary increment. We were astonished when Chairman of TUC Mr Alexander Nyarko-Opoku told us on phone that he and his Secretary General Dr Yaw Anthony Baah accepted the 4% salary increment because of covid-19 effects on private companies especially companies at Tema who were laying workers off and cannot afford to increase workers salary beyond 4%.”
This was disclosed at a press conference by the Coalition Against TUC and Organized Labour in favour of Ghanian Workers, to express their disappointment in the leadership of Organized Labour for accepting 4% salary increment instead of 15%.
Addressing the media, the Executive Secretary for the Coalition Mr Azubila Emmanuel Abdul-Salam entreated, the leadership of TUC and Organized labour headed by Dr Yaw Anthony Baah and Bamford Addo of CLOSSAG who represented all labour unions in Ghana at a tripartite committee meeting and signed to approve the 4% salary increment for public sector workers
to go back to negotiation table again and review the 4% salary increment or declare industrial strike.
“If the leadership of TUC and Organized labour cannot speak our language and serve the collective interest of Ghanaian workers, then Ghanaian workers have no interest in their leadership”.
He pointed out that, if the leadership cannot serve workers interest appropriately, they have no right to lead them.
“Until the leadership of our labour unions headed by Dr Yaw Anthony Baah of TUC and Bamford Addo of CLOGSAG return to the tripartite committee to review the inhumane 4% salary increment of workers in Ghana to a reasonable percentage, we are not going to allow them lead us. We as a Coalition will never accept anything less than a 15% salary increment. Coalition against TUC and Organized labour in favour of Ghanaian workers has assumed over 13, 000 members on our Telegram page within ten (10) days and still counting, this is a sign to tell our leaders that no worker in Ghana is ready to accept the 4% annual salary increment. This Coalition will never relent in this fight until our ultimate goal is achieved”.
He use the opportunity to clear the air about the public misconception that, staff of Local government CLOSSAG have received 15% salary increment adding that, it is a premium of 15% for their members and that, premium is meant for workers with special skills and are of high demand. “CLOSSAG gets a 15% premium of the 4% increment and not the entire Monthly salary”.
Mr Azubila however encourage all workers to give the Coalition Against TUC and Organized Labour in favour of Ghanian Workers, the necessary support needed.
“Now if you are local government staff, the Government will give you a 15% premium of the GH¢80.00 which is just ghc12.00 now adding the 12.00 + 80.00=GH¢92.00. so your 15% premium is just GH¢12.00 if your salary is GH¢2000.00 We are saying we will not accept the 4% salary increment.”