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Business News of Monday, 16 December 2002

Source: GNA

Govt advised against Wage Freeze

The Government has been advised to ignore pressures from both national and international quarters to freeze wages in the country next year.

Mr Samuel Kangah, general secretary of the General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU), said workers would no longer accept additional austerity measures being prescribed as a way to resuscitate the economy.

He was speaking at Benso Oil Palm Plantation (BOPP) workers durbar and awards day at Adum-Banso in the Western region on Saturday.

"Workers will stand firmly and fight against the move if government decides to adopt it" he emphasised.

The GAWU general secretary said he was quoting a credible source that said the government is under intense pressure to freeze wages.

He said another group is currently pressurising the government to release forest reserves in the country for their mining operations, and added that," this move would also be resisted by workers and all well-meaning people of this country".

Mr Kangah commended the management, workers and smallholder farmers of BOPP for their cooperation and hard work.

Mr Kwame Addae, managing director of BOPP announced a number of measures being adopted by the company to ensure sustained growth and welfare of workers and farmers in its catchments area.

Mr Joseph Boahen Aidoo, Western Regional Minister said roads in the area would be rehabilitated to make them motorable.

Deserving workers and farmers were honoured at the ceremony.