Ghanaian workers go red over utility hikes

Angry Ghanaian workers will from Tuesday put on red armbands and fly red flags in their various work places as the pressure on government to announce a reduction in utility prices continue unabated.

This was announced by the Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Mr Kofi Asamoah, after a marathon union conference held, Monday, to agree on the next line of action to take in protest over the rising cost of living as a result of the utility price hikes.

TUC had issued a ten-day ultimatum to government to reduce the 150 per cent hikes in water and electricity. The deadline for the ultimatum is Tuesday, October 22, 2013.

After the marathon meeting, Kofi Asamoah told Joy News' Francisca Kakra Forson, they have taken into consideration the appeal by the president, John Mahama for the organised labour to exercise restraint as the technical committee submits an interim report on the utility prices.

With that report set to be ready in a week, Asamoah said the workers will put red arm bands and fly red flags at their various work places to register their displeasure over the increases.

He said they would rather have the government stagger the hikes in a way that will not drastically affect organised labour.

He did not say what the workers will do in the case government does not announce any reduction in utility prices, even though strikes and demonstration may not be far-fetched.

Meanwhile, barring any last minute intervention, members of the Trades Union Congress in Kumasi will hit the streets in protest over what they say is the growing hardship caused by the 150 per cent hikes in utility prices.

This was confirmed by the Ashanti Region chairman of the TUC, Kofi Asare Essiamah. Government is however appealing to the workers to exercise restraint. A deputy Information Minister, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, told Joy News the government is ready to dialogue with workers to find an amicable solution to the problem.

"Ultimatum and threats do not help much," he stated, adding, dialogue is the key.