The Centre for Policy Research (CPR) is urging Organized Labour to rescind its decision to strike and demonstrate on Thursday because it is illegal.
The Center is suggesting the use of dialogue with government to address their concerns.
Organized Labour is scheduled to embark on a one-day strike which will be backed by a nationwide demonstration.
The event is to protest the rising cost of living and the socio-economic hardships facing Ghanaians.
However, a statement signed by the CPR’s Executive Director, Gloria Edusei said, “organizing a mass demonstration will further worsen the situation. This is because if all workers strike for a day, public sector productivity will suffer.”
CPR is also calling on the Ghana Employers Association and all other employers including government to ensure that their employees report to work on the said date since this strike is illegal.
Below is the full statement
ORGANISED LABOUR STRIKE: LET’S KEEP CALM AND DIALOGUE
The Centre for Policy Research (CPR) has noted that a group of Ghanaian workers led by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) intend to embark on a mass demonstration on Thursday, July 24, 2014 to protest against economic hardships in the country.
We admit and agree with organized labour that things are hard for Ghanaians at this very time and this call for some actions to address the current economic hardship being experienced by all Ghanaians and other nationals residing in our country. The recent increase in fuel prices, depreciating cedi and increase in prices of general goods and services are a few of these hardships.
However, CPR believes that organizing a mass demonstration will further worsen the situation. This is because if all workers strike for a day, public sector productivity will suffer. The absence of doctors for instance will mean that sick people will not be attended to and this may lead to loss of precious lives. If all transport operators strike, movement of people and goods from one place to the other will be a problem. In fact this sole action will result in dire consequences on us as a nation.
We have also noted with concern that there is currently no labour issue between the government and organized labour. This raises questions about the legality of the intended labour strike. If there is no labour issue then on what basis is organized labour asking Ghanaians to stay away from work?
CPR therefore calls on organized labour to.
Call off the intended strike and
Present to government a comprehensive proposal on how to address some of the challenges being faced. Nation building is a collective responsibility of all citizens.
We further call on the government to
Immediately put in measures to address the current challenges so as to make life better for Ghanaians.
Adopt sound measures to save the depreciating cedi
Constantly communicate to the citizenry the kind of economic decisions being taken and the implications as well as long term benefits of such decisions.
We also call on the Ghana Employers Association and all other employers including government to ensure that their employees report to work on the said date since this strike is illegal.
Finally we wish to urge all Ghanaians to keep calm even in these trying times as we all hope for things to get better.
Gloria Edusei
Executive Director
By: Efua Idan Osam/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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