A total of 10 labour unions will today begin a nationwide strike in protest of the proposed sale of 60 per cent of Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) shares in some four hotels.
They are the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), and the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and Public Utility Workers Union (PUWU).
Others were Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG), Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU), the Judicial Service STAFF Association of Ghana (JUSAG) and the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives’ Association (GRNMA) and General Transport, Petroleum and Chemical Workers Union.
This decision follows Organised Labour’s announcement and directive to the various unions to stay away from work beginning today, Monday, July 15, 2024, if SSNIT fails to cancel the controversial hotel sale.
Dr Anthony Yaw Baah, the Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), in announcing the industrial action, said the deal was not in the interest of workers.
He urged the unions not to return to work until the sale is reversed.
“From Monday, July 15, 2024, all workers in Ghana must not go to work until SSNIT publicly announces the termination of the process for the sale of its shares in the hotel,” Dr Baah stated.
Meanwhile, the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA) had given approval to SSNIT to proceed with its plan to offload part of its stake in the facilities.
In a related development, Rock City Hotel, in a letter dated July 12, announced its decision to withdraw its bid to purchase the 60 per cent shares of the four hotels.
Following that, the SSNIT Board in a statement signed and issued by its Chairperson, Ms Elizabeth Akua Ohene, on Saturday said, “the board and management of SSNIT wish to inform the public that the process to divest 60 per cent 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 hotels in question include La Palm Beach Hotel, Labadi Beach Hotel, Royal Ridge Hotel, and Elmina Beach Hotel.
Rock City’s letter, addressed to the Director-General of SSNIT, Mr Kofi Osafo-Maafo, expressed their disappointment at the lack of stakeholder engagement, which they believe has contributed to the negativity surrounding their bid.
BY MALIK SULLEMANA
