The General Transport, Petroleum and Chemical Workers’ Union (GTPCWU) of TUC, is calling on government to as a matter of urgency reverse the recent fuel price hikes.
According to them, the increases in the prices of petroleum products are unjustifiable and burdensome to Ghanaians and also called “for an immediate reduction in the prices of utilities.”
[contextly_sidebar id=”sEoqeVjxJkSnb7AWQ5K0dQMA6XYh0p0V”]GTPCWU in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Fuseini Iddrisu, expressed disappointment at the government for sanctioning over 20% increase in fuel prices and argued that the basis for the hike “has been shrouded in confusion, lacks transparency and the reason for it is unconscionable.”
“As a result, we demand a withdrawal of the so-called Energy Sector Levies without further delay. We will work with Organised Labour and the TUC to ensure that these unjustifiable and burdensome government policies are reversed.”
Government on Monday increased the prices of petroleum products by over 20 percent despite the continuous fall in crude oil prices on the international market.
Ghanaians have chastised the government for approving such increases describing it as a killer law.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance had defended the increases saying it is in the best interest of the nation.
But according to the GTPCWU “It is obvious that the new fuel price levels would aggravate the already harsh economic conditions that the working people of Ghana are currently facing.”
Organised Labour is pushing for a 50 percent increase in salaries for public workers due to the increases if government fails to withdraw the fuel taxes or reduce utility tariffs.
A meeting between government and the various unions on Tuesday hit a deadlock after government refused to reduce utility tariffs.
Organised Labour has served notice of further meetings with government after which it will take its next line of action.
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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana