From Michael Boateng
Workers of Ghana, under the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in the Brong-Ahafo Region, wailed over low salaries amidst increases in utility tariffs, taxes, and fuel prices during this year’s Annual May Day celebration held in Berekum.
The workers marched through the principal streets of Berekum wailing; “Yakatua Sua, Nso y’atoto bibiara mu”, which literally means “Our salaries are low, but everything has been increased.”
They held placards with inscriptions such as, “Pay us well for productivity”, “Release funds to pay contractors”, “Tweaaa the minimum wage is small” among others, express their economic situation.
Brother Opoku Agyemang, acting Brong-Ahafo Regional Secretary of the TUC, noted that workers in Ghana face social economic hardship, but whenever they express their sentiments publicly, government commentators descend on them for no reason.
He, therefore, called on such government commentators to desist from attacking workers who express views of the economic hardship, and assess the situation as it is to devise a holistic approach in resolving it.
According to Brother Opoku Agyemang, wages are low in Ghana, and one of the surest remedies was the introduction of the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS), adding that the SSSS has the potential to rescue the plight of workers, only if its implementation is reviewed to take full coverage.
The Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, Eric Opoku, noted that economies all over the world depend on a simple principle of reciprocity, where in the life of humanity, people realise that certain essentials in life cannot be provided individually, hence, the need for people to come together and contribute towards the provision of such facilities.
Mr. Eric Opoku continued that the basis of the sustainability and resilience of the economy is the individual contributions of all Ghanaians, in the form of taxes.
He said, interestingly, in Ghana most people place heavy demands on the government, but do very little to honour their tax obligations, which weakens the capacity of the government to meet all the demands of the people.
The Regional Minister asked who amongst the workers has always been able to provide everything the children want in the house. None is able to do that, because of the scarcity of resources.
He said, “Ghana belongs to Ghanaians, and all must sacrifice to enable [government] solve the current challenges confronting the nation.”
He entreated all workers not to sit aloof and place the blame about challenges at the doorsteps of the government, but rather contribute towards resolving these challenges.
Mr. Opoku urged Organised Labour to understand that its output constitutes a major component of the wealth of the nation, consequently, if the government is able to multiply wages and salaries, it would be fair on the part of labour to demonstrate a sizeable increase in output.
In all, eighteen workers were awarded for their outstanding performances in the respective unions, receiving fridges, laptops, gas cookers and certificates.