The Member of Parliament for Akuapim South, Osei Bonsu Amoah has disclosed that the current rate of strikes on the labour front was caused by President John Mahama’s economic policy. He said President John Dramani Mahama brought this problems upon himself.
Mr. O.B. Amoah was commenting Thursday on Adom TV’s “badwam” program, to the latest twist to University Teachers Association of Ghana(UTAG)’s strike action.
UTAG is in a stand-off with government after a failed meeting with the Chief of Staff Wednesday.
The Association has insisted on bulk payment of their 2012 market premium but the Public Relations Officer for Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, Earl Ankrah has disclosed that his outfit will not be forced into accepting the request made by UTAG.
The M.P explained that the current spate of strike actions is because of a change in government policy. He said the policy is to revamp the economy by cutting down expenditure.
He said although the President warned in his State of the Nation Address this year, that “the meat had come to the bones” labour groups are not convinced.
He said the lavish spending on shady projects and unbudgeted expenditures during the 2012 elections, have created conditions for labour to insist on its share of the national cake.
Five labour groups have embarked on strike this year. They are the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) who suspended medical services to National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) cardholders. This has been followed National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Concerned Teachers Association (CCT), the Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union and now UTAG.