There appears to be progress in negotiations between representatives of labour and government as the two are inching closer to a deal after a second round of crunch talks over the newly introduced taxes and the recent increase in utility tariffs.
Organised Labour has been demanding a reduction in the tariffs and taxes but government until today had been insistent on maintaining the increments to improve power supply and to service public debts .
[contextly_sidebar id=”h8Cj0XQDsjibHtQwAiSXjX8tOXSr7rT1″]The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) in December 2015, increased electricity and water tariffs by 59.2% and 67.2% respectively.
This was followed with an 18% to 27% increase in petroleum products which incensed the workers’s unions who say workers are being overburdened whiles salaries remain unchanged.
Labour unions had been engaged in weeks of negotiations with the government, hitting the streets with a massive demonstration last Wednesday.
Addressing the media at the end of the crunch talks on Tuesday, Employment and Labour Relations Minister, Harruna Iddrisu, indicated that government and labour representatives had softened their stance and had settled for a compromise.
The Labour Minster acknowledged the flexibility from organsied labour saying, “The committee has also noted an improvement in the position of organsied labour by tabling some adjustment’s to their previous position at the level of the stakeholder.”
Mr. Iddrisu revealed a new proposal from government is expected to be communicated to labour in writing ahead of another scheduled meeting tomorrow [Wednesday], adding that government will seek to protect the interest of lifeline users.
“We are also revising our position and will communicate same to organised labour before the end of today [Tuesday] which will be an improvement of our position particularly in respect of lifeline consumers and vulnerable consumers of ECG,” he said.
He however noted that government will not take decisions detrimental to the growth of the economy.
“Government will not take any decision that will further strain or hurt the economy. In respect of lifeline consumers, we make a further commitment as government that some reliefs will be provided.”
Mr. Iddrisu also noted that government was obligated to cushion local industries, saying he has asked the Finance Minster to prioritize two areas for immediate support.
“Governments accepts the principle to cushion industry in line with the ransformation agenda of President Mahama and therefore the AGI [Association of Ghana Industries] is to submit a comprehensive proposal to the minister of finance and to the president making a prioritization of two areas for immediate support as part of the cushioning.”
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By Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmoline.com/Ghana