Heed to labour concerns - Bagbin tells govt

As the scheduled nationwide strike by organized labour over new utility price hikes draws nearer, former Majority Leader, Alban Bagbin has asked the John Mahama administration to listen to the pleas of organized labour.

Organized labour, on Tuesday, declared its intended actions to protest against the hikes. Security experts have warned of a potential chaos if urgent steps are not taken to avert the planned nationwide demonstrations.

Speaking to JOYNEWS, Mr. Bagbin indicated that government must take a political decision to address the concerns of organized labour before they embark on their nationwide strike on November 18.

"I also think that the sudden rise is a killer and therefore government should listen to the plea of organized labour to stagger the implementation of the rise", Mr. Bagbin stressed.

According to the former Health Minister, organized labour is scrutinizing government policies and providing feedback on those that are under implementation.

Even though the economy is facing challenges and the need to generate more revenue to stabilize the daunting situation that stares at the country, the former majority leader was hopeful that government would heed to the concerns raised by organized labour.

Mr. Bagbin further noted that the issue of time would be a challenge, but added that government would have a reasonable look at the recommendations of the committee regulating utility tariffs and provide an agreeable solution.

Meanwhile, transport unions in the Ashanti region have expressed their preparedness to join the strike called by organized labour.