By Edmund Mingle
Negotiations between the Government and Organised Labour over the recent utility tariff hikes recorded some progress yesterday, with the government proposing to provide “Lifeline Relief” to cushion Ghanaians against the impact of the tariff increases.
“The government is ready to provide some further reliefs to the vulnerable, under the lifeline protection policy with respect to water and electricity,” Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, told journalists at the end of the meeting at the Flagstaff House.
According to him, the government side “will be able to share more details if organised Labour is able to adjust downward its position for 50 per cent salary increase.”
“We have made some progress, and we are hopeful that we will be able to build consensus at our next meeting on Tuesday,” he said.
Mr. Kofi Asamoah, Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress, who led Organised Labour, confirmed the proposals from the government team, and indicated that the proposed 50 per cent salary increase was to help to address the inherent difficulties facing workers, resulting from the tariff hikes.
“Much as we have noted what government has put across, we would make further consultations to be able to come back for the negotiation on Tuesday,” he said.
Yesterday’s meeting, which was the second to be held, came after organised labour undertook a nationwide demonstration on Wednesday to press home their demands.
Labour side initially demanded a withdrawal of the newly introduced Energy Sector Levy which had led to about 28 per cent increases in prices of petroleum products, as well as decreases in utility tariffs which were increased by 59.2 per cent for electricity and 67.2 per cent for water.
However, the Labour side intensified their push for a 50 per cent salary increase for public sector workers, when government at the last meeting indicated that a withdrawal of the levy was virtually impossible.
At yesterday’s meeting which was attended by the leadership of the Ghana Employers Association and the Association of Ghana Industries, the Minister of Finance, Seth Terkper, justified the need for the new tax and increment in tariffs, indicating that resource were needed to effectively equip and operate the utility companies.
Negotiations between the Government and Organised Labour over the recent utility tariff hikes recorded some progress yesterday, with the government proposing to provide “Lifeline Relief” to cushion Ghanaians against the impact of the tariff increases.
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| Haruan Iddrisu leading discussions at the meeting |
According to him, the government side “will be able to share more details if organised Labour is able to adjust downward its position for 50 per cent salary increase.”
“We have made some progress, and we are hopeful that we will be able to build consensus at our next meeting on Tuesday,” he said.
Mr. Kofi Asamoah, Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress, who led Organised Labour, confirmed the proposals from the government team, and indicated that the proposed 50 per cent salary increase was to help to address the inherent difficulties facing workers, resulting from the tariff hikes.
“Much as we have noted what government has put across, we would make further consultations to be able to come back for the negotiation on Tuesday,” he said.
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| Finance Minister, Seth Terkper explaining issues at the meeting |
Labour side initially demanded a withdrawal of the newly introduced Energy Sector Levy which had led to about 28 per cent increases in prices of petroleum products, as well as decreases in utility tariffs which were increased by 59.2 per cent for electricity and 67.2 per cent for water.
However, the Labour side intensified their push for a 50 per cent salary increase for public sector workers, when government at the last meeting indicated that a withdrawal of the levy was virtually impossible.
At yesterday’s meeting which was attended by the leadership of the Ghana Employers Association and the Association of Ghana Industries, the Minister of Finance, Seth Terkper, justified the need for the new tax and increment in tariffs, indicating that resource were needed to effectively equip and operate the utility companies.
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| The government team holding deliberations |
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