TUC opposes SSNIT Funds for Health Insurance Scheme

The Upper East Regional Executive of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has expressed disagreement with the government's proposal to use 2.5 percent of workers' social security contributions to fund the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

This was contained in a resolution by the regional quarterly meeting and signed by union representatives from all the six districts in the region.

''The Social Security Fund is different from the Consolidated Fund from which the government draws revenue to finance its programmes and it is held in trust for contributors.''

The government should, therefore, find other means to source funding for the scheme, the resolution said.

The Deputy Secretary-General of the TUC in charge of Operations, Mr Kofi Asamoah, described the government's decision as 'not encouraging' saying that stakeholders and other concerned citizens were not consulted on the issue.

"SSNIT belongs to the contributors not the government."

He said the recent increase in the prices of petroleum products was a big blow to workers since it would adversely affect their cost of living.

Mr Asamoah said this year's "May Day" celebrations would take place in all the 10 regions under the theme " Democratising Workers' Participation and Improving Incomes, Dividends and good governance."

He called for unity on the labour front and said the strength of workers lies in their numbers.

The Legal and Industrial Relations Officer of the TUC, Mr Kwesi Danso Acheampong said good governance entailed participation and consultation, transparency, accountability.

Mr Acheampong expressed dissatisfaction about the intention of the government to create multiple trade unions centres.

"The creation of multiple trade unions centres under the proposed Industrial Relations Act apart from enriching the democratic structures of Ghana will not bring any benefit to organised labour rather, it may promote fragmentation on the labour front," he said.