Organised Labour has issued a stern warning of a potential strike on May 2, 2024, should the government continue to neglect its responsibility to pay tier-2 pensions to its members. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) and affiliated unions have voiced their frustration, citing repeated appeals to the government that have fallen on deaf ears.
Secretary-General of the TUC, Dr. Anthony Yaw Baah, underscored the gravity of the situation, stating that without prompt action from the government, a strike is inevitable.
“You may know that the public sector unions under the forum have already given notice that on the 2nd of May, if they don’t hear anything about the payment of this second tier on the 30th of April, they will strike.
“We will want to send this notice to the government that if by the 30th of April they don’t do anything about this our second tier, on the 2nd of May we will all join the forum. I can imagine what will happen in this country if they allow this thing to happen.”
The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has also voiced concerns over the government’s failure to remit mandatory contributions for over 700,000 Ghanaian workers. NAGRAT President, Angel Carbonu, condemned the government’s alleged financial misconduct during a press conference on April 18, specifically citing non-payment of tier-2 pension scheme contributions and other third-party deductions since July 2023.
Mr. Carbonu highlighted the discrepancy between deductions made from workers’ salaries and actual remittances to the designated institutions, raising doubts about the financial security of workers, especially in their retirement years.