TUC to start negotiations for allowances for public workers

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) on Tuesday said negotiations for allowances for public sector workers would begin when all personnel in the sector have been migrated to the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS).

Dr Yaw Baah, Deputy Secretary-General of the union made this known at a meeting of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Council of Labour in Takoradi.

He said so far, about 91 per cent of public sector workers have been placed on the SSSS.

Dr Baah said: “Delay in placing workers on the SSSS has caused the delay in negotiating for allowances.”

He said it came to light at a meeting of the TUC with representatives of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that the withdrawal of subsidies on fuel by government was dictated by the fund.

Dr Baah said the IMF was of the view that subsides on fuel could benefit the rich at the expense of the poor, whilst the funds for the subsides could be used for the National Health Insurance Scheme and the School Feeding Programme  as well as other poverty reduction interventions.

He announced that the TUC Quadrennial Congress would be held from August 11- August 17.

Dr Baah said executives of the union in 122 districts would be elected before the congress.

He said this year’s National May Day would take place in Sunyani.

Meanwhile Mr Charles Thompson has been elected as the Chairman of the Metropolitan Council of Labour, Mr Daniel Acheampong, First Vice Chairman and Ms Comfort Esi Yankey, second Vice Chairperson.

The rest are Mr Albert Bondze, Secretary, Mr Michael Ahinkrah, Assistant Secretary and Mr Samuel Tetteh Agbetor, Treasurer.

Source: GNA