Workers say no to govt's decision on deductions

Accra, Aug. 13, GNA - The Greater Accra Regional Delegates' Conference of the Public Services Workers Union (PSWU) on Wednesday resolved to fight government's decision to deduct two and half per cent from workers Social Security and National Investment Trust (SSNIT) contributions to establish the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). They said considering the low level of salary in the country it would be disastrous if government were allowed to have its way through to go ahead with the deductions.

They, therefore, called on the government to find another means of fulfilling its promise of abolishing the Cash and Carry System when it was voted into power.

"Besides, we do not understand the basis for which part of workers SSNIT contribution should be used to fund the NHIS, especially so, when our union members already enjoy free medical attention," they said. The conference also resolved to support the National Secretariat and Volta River Authority workers concerning the labour dispute at the VRA and called on the government to publish the report of the committee to restore peace.
"We are not concerned about who appointed who to head VRA but all that we are saying is that the government should appoint somebody who has the interest of the country and the people under him at heart and can work amicably with the staff."
Mr Mensah Nyarkoh, National Chairman of PSWU, said those days that workers were taken for granted to satisfy selfish political interest was gone and workers were now prepared to defend their rights at every circle, adding, "we will continue to fight till we win the fight". He said government was shifting from public sector services to private sector services because it did not want to face its responsibilities.
Mr Nyarkoh cited water privatisation and the sale of the government's share in Ghana Commercial Bank as a ploy to shirk its responsibilities because there was no justification for the decision. "What is it that we do not have in place - we have river and big pumps at Kpong to treat and pump the water, we have laid all the lines for distributions to our homes and offices ...what is it that the strategic foreign investor bringing down to manage our water sector".
He urged all workers to resist any attempt by the government to frustrate their efforts and long toils.