GRIDCo workers embark on sit-down strike over energy sector debts

Staff of the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) have embarked on a sit-down strike effective Wednesday, December 11, 2019 over the energy sector debts.

According to them, the strike has become necessary “following non-response by GRIDCo Management and the institutions petitioned.”

The staff on Thursday, November 21, withdrew emergency services over the debts owed them by the Electricity Company of Ghana, (ECG), the Volta Aluminum Company (VALCO) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo).

According to them, ECG and NEDCo owe about GHS607 million and GHS177 million respectively, while VALCO and PDS owe over US$32 million and GHS94 million respectively.

In an interview on Accra-based radio station, Citi FM, Chairman of GRIDco Senior Staff Association, Rafael Konor, said the strike could have been avoided if there had been a proper dialogue with the staff.

“I believe that from 21st if there had been some engagements we wouldn’t have gotten to where we are now. We had a demonstration on the 3rd, on the 4th [of December]. We were supposed to embark on this sit-down strike but as rational workers and staff who are professionals we thought that we thought that, even though the issues are already in the media, lets petition the  appropriate authorities so that we can pick it up from there but lo and behold no engagement has been done with the leadership of the staff group on the petition we have raised.”