Organised Labour calls off strike

Organised Labour yesterday gave the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) one month to resolve all outstanding issues relating to the management of pensions after striking labour unions called off an indefinite industrial action over the proposed sale of 60 per cent stake in four hotels by SSNIT.

The leadership of Organised Labour said it expected a definitive outcome, “otherwise we will advise ourselves”. 

At a news conference in Accra Monday after an emergency meeting by Organised Labour, the Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Dr Yaw Baah, announced that the strike had been called off after SSNIT terminated processes to sell 60 per cent of its stake in the four hotels hours after the strike was declared.

Last Friday, Organised Labour declared an indefinite industrial action, insisting that public sector workers would not return to work until SSNIT terminated all processes to sell its 60 per cent stake in Labadi Beach Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Resort, Elmina Beach Resort and Ridge Royal Hotel.

Rock City Hotels Ltd, owned by the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Bryan Acheampong, had supposedly won the bid to buy 60 per cent of SSNIT’s stake in the hotels.

At yesterday’s news conference, Dr Baah said: “In a letter dated July 12, 2024, SSNIT informed Organised Labour that it has terminated the sale of 60 per cent of its stake in the hotels.

He consequently announced that all workers were requested to resume work today.

Ultimatum to SSNIT

Dr Baah, however, told the Daily Graphic after the press conference that there were many concerns with Organised Labour, with one being the inadequate power given to the labour body to influence decisions at SSNIT.

Members of TUC singing their solidarity song. Picture: ERNEST KODZI

He explained that the law creating SSNIT gave Organised Labour four slots on the Board of Trustees, a situation he described as unacceptable.

“Even though workers own the fund, only four out of 12 Board members are from Organised Labour. We think that the law must change to make sure that the Board composition reflects the fact that the fund is owned by workers,” the TUC Secretary-General added.

Under Section 35 of the National Pensions Act, 2008 (Act 766), the Board of Trustees of SSNIT comprises two persons nominated by the President, two representatives of Employers’ Association, four representatives from Organised Labour, one representative of the National Pensioners Association, one representative of the Ministry of Finance, one representative of the security services, not from the Ghana Armed Forces, and the Director-General of the Trust.

NPRA green light

The industrial action by Organised Labour was precipitated by an approval of the sale of SSNIT shares in the hotels by the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA).

Last Thursday, the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Ignatius Baffour Awuah, told Parliament that the NPRA had given the green light after SSNIT had furnished the authority with all the needed information relating to the sale of the hotels.

“Yes, it is true that the NPRA came up with a directive. It said it needed to be furnished with all information relating to the sale of the hotels, which SSNIT has since done,” he said.

Responding to an urgent question in the name of the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, on the floor of Parliament, Mr Awuah said the approval came after the NPRA, which was the regulator within the field, had actually certified that it had seen all documentation and processes, and that it thought it was “good to go”.

Not long after the declaration of the strike by Organised Labour last Friday, Rock City Hotels released a statement withdrawing its bid for the hotels. Later in the evening of the same day, SSNIT announced the termination of the process for the sale of the shares.

“The Board and Management of Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) wish to inform the public that the process to divest 60% of SSNIT's stake in the hotels has been terminated”.

“We wish to assure pensioners, contributors and the public of our commitment to managing the affairs of the Trust prudently for the sustainability of the Pension Scheme,” the statement from SSNIT said.

Regional situation

From Ho,  Alberto Mario Noretti reports that the Volta regional capital suddenly turned desolate yesterday following the strike action by public sector workers.

The streets were virtually empty, devoid of the usual morning traffic, except for a few tricycle taxis that travelled the streets during working hours. The industrial action caused a significant reduction in commuter services as public sector workers stayed away from their duty posts.

The premises of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, the Ghana Education Service, and the Judicial Service were all deserted. At the Ho Teaching Hospital (HTU), the outpatients department (OPD) was not running.

Only emergency and wards services were available when the Daily Graphic visited the facility. However, the doors of the SSNIT office were open to the public.

“We are ready, as usual, to serve you,” said one official.

At OLA Senior High School, the students were on their own in the classrooms, without teachers. At Mawuli School, only a mock examination was going on, with invigilators supervising.

Some basic school children turned up for their lessons before they were informed about the strike action. The strike also appeared to have affected patronage at eateries as operators complained of “slow sales” yesterday.

At the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), only the presenters and some technical staff were on duty. One visitor described Ho as a ghost town on his arrival.

Writer’s email: emma.hawkson@graphic.com.gh