Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, Minority leader
The Minority in Parliament has accused government of creating fear and panic among the Ghanaian workforce even within a democratic dispensation.
It said the situation has permeated to the extent of limiting the free worker environment that existed before the change of government on January 7, this year.
“As a democratic society, we continue to witness unfortunately obscene mass worker transfers, forced resignations, politically motivated ‘proceed on leave’ directives and unlawful termination of engagements within the public and civil service under the President Nana Akufo-Addo leadership.”
The Minority said in a statement copied the media yesterday to mark the International Labour Day.
The statement, signed by Haruna Idrissu, the Minority Leader, also accused some elements associated with the current administration of attacking public institutions and assaulting their employees.
“It is sad to note that elements associated with this current administration attacked public institutions, forced out workers of these institutions and in many instances physically assaulted these lawful employees, all in the name of ‘political takeovers.”
The statement said the Akufo-Addo led administration has further presided over rising cost of living, increases in transport fares by 15 per cent, high cost of utility bills, non-improvement of power supply,and stagnating worker wages and salaries.
It said President Akufo-Addo then the candidate of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), on May Day, last year, in a statement to mark the day assured labour that the very opposite of these happening was what they should expect.
“At the time, Nana Akufo-Addo said within a short space of time, the Ghanaian worker will experience improved wages, reduced cost of living, increased job opportunities, with a value addition in industrialisation to create jobs with good pay across Ghana, while maintaining a safe and peaceful worker environment necessary for the progressive programmes and policies that the NPP have for the people of Ghana.”
The Minority said it was a surprise that contrary to the promise Nana Akufo-Addo made to improve the standard of living of workers, they are yet to witness the fulfillment of these promises.
“The question is, ‘Can the Ghanaian worker feel the signs of realising these promises made by President Nana Akufo-Addo, one year ago in the midst of current rising cost of living, increases in transport fares by 15%, high cost of utility bills, non-improvement in electric power supply and stagnating worker wages and salaries?'”
The statement expressed concern at attempts by the government to delete the names of 26,589 lawful employees who were not captured onto the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) Biometric Register.
It noted that the non registration was no faults of theirs.
“As the Minority in Parliament, we are in strong solidarity with the labour front in pressurising the NPP administration to ensure that the liberties of the Ghanaian worker are not infringed upon, while cooperating with all efforts targeted at improved cost of living and the dignity of the Ghanaian workforce.”
The statement further urged labour to give off their best adding that the Minority would always ensure the right things were done to improve the wellbeing of labour.
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