Strikes are becoming too many – Ato Sarpong

Deputy Minister of Communication, Ato Sarpong says strikes are becoming one too many in the country.

Twelve Labour unions recently suspended an indefinite strike over the handling of their tier-two pension funds, but have threatened another strike over the same issue following a deadlock in dialogue with government towards resolving the matter within a one-week window period.

The unions want the government to release their tier-two contributions to private managers rather than the Pension Alliance Trust, which they claim government foisted on them.

The Government, on the other hand, is reluctant to do so due to fears that funds may be mismanaged. But the unions insist the pension Act provides that the funds be handled privately.

Also recently, three teacher unions suspended an indefinite strike over issues concerning allowances and salary arrears.

Doctors working in the public sector have also given the government up to June next year to come up with their conditions of service or all 2,000 of them will resign en mass.

Ato Sarpong told STARR NEWS in an interview Tuesday that the “strikes are becoming too many” and urged labour unions to engage government in negotiations towards resolving differences rather than resorting to strikes quickly.