May Day @Bolgatanga

Workers in Upper East Region on Thursday celebrated May Day with a call on Government to endeavour to conclude all negotiations on salaries by the end of May.

Mr Patrick Fegelogo, Upper East Regional Chairman of Civil Servants Association made the call in a solidarity message in Bolgatanga. He noted that when Government continued to be insensitive to the plight of workers in terms of salaries and improved service conditions, leadership of the workers' front would find it difficult to continue to suppress workers' agitations for better salaries.

Mr Fegelogo expressed concern about Government's inability to implement the single spine salary structure this year as had been promised.

He called for investigations into the delay in payment of salaries and workers promotions, especially in the Civil Service and called on Government to improve the conditions of workers.

Mr Cofie Linus Attey, Upper East Regional Secretary of Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) reiterated the need for Government to improve the conditions of workers to enhance productivity, saying when workers were paid better, productivity would be increased. He appealed to Government to facilitate the payment of allowances including transport and maintenance to workers as a means of motivating them to work hard. Mr Joseph Akula, Upper East Regional Secretary of the Judiciary Services, appealed to Government to institute a comprehensive package to create more employment for the youth, especially those loitering on the streets. Mrs Agnes Chigabatia, Upper East Deputy Regional Minister, who read President John Agyekum Kufuor's address commended organised labour for its contributions to national development. President Kufuor said plans were underway to construct more railways and the economic partnership agreement with donors would ensure the creation of more jobs for Ghanaians and an improved economy.