The 12 labour unions striking over the management of their tier two pension funds say they are yet to receive the court order directing them to resume work within eight days.
A statement from the Forum for Public Sector Registered Pension Schemes signed by the leadership of all the striking unions indicated its disappointment in the government for “touting a certain ex-parte injunction against the Forum.”
The group expressed surprise that “although we have our offices in Accra and have been in negotiations with our employer, it is surprising to note that as at 2pm today [Monday], not a single Union/Association has been served with a copy of the purported Court order.
[contextly_sidebar id=”sAQ0hQ0UBQJ1tEOxp5vcbMuRUPPj9UhP”]It questioned the existence of the said court order saying, “if such an order exists, government has clearly not been diligent in bringing such an order to our attention.”
The group however criticized the government for quickly announcing the acquisition of the said court order to the general public, describing the act as a “clear demonstration of bad faith.”
The striking labour unions have assured its members and the general public that “within the shortest possible time, we would address all the issues raised by the Hon. Minister and Government on the Tier 2 pensions.”
Government on Friday announced it had secured an ex-parte motion ordering the 12 labour unions to return to work after they declared an indefinite strike over the management and non-payment of their Tier 2 pensions.
The unions however insist they are unperturbed by the said court order and will only resume work when their concerns are addressed.
FORUM FOR PUBLIC SECTOR REGISTERED PENSION SCHEMES
The Joint Forum of the Public Sector Registered Pension Schemes have worryingly observed certain acts and public statements by Government through some of its key officials on the ongoing impasse over the Tier 2 Pension funds for Public Sector workers and wish to state as follows that:
At all material times prior and leading to our declaration of strike on 22nd October 2014, our action was legitimate, lawful and in the best interest of the future of workers in Ghana. In fact, as far back as 30th June, 2014, the Forum served a two week notice of its intention to embark on a strike action to back its demand for the operationalization of the four schemes in the Health, Education, Judicial and the Civil and Local Government Services. This notice expired on 14th July 2014 without any resolution of the issue by our Employers.
Again on 10th September, 2014, in another notice to the Employers, leadership of the forum cautioned against the present situation.
The Forum is disappointed that since last week Government has been touting a certain ex-parte injunction against the Forum. Although we have our offices in Accra and have been in negotiations with our Employer, it is surprising to note that as at 2pm today not a single Union/Association has been served with a copy of the purported Court order.
Indeed, if such an order exists, Government has clearly not been diligent in bringing such an order to our attention, yet has quickly put it out in the public domain. This act, the Forum believes is a clear demonstration of bad faith.
We wish to respond to the false misrepresentation by the Hon. Minister of Communication earlier today at a Press Conference that Ghanaians including pregnant women and children were suffering deprivation of vital public services on account of the current strike. Our colleagues in the Health Sector have stated emphatically and have continued to provide the full range of their services and care for emergencies, pregnant women and inpatient services. This was contained in a joint statement dated 22nd October, 2014 issued by the Forum and accordingly challenge the Hon. Minister to state which Health facility is depriving Ghanaians of such services.
We further state that the membership of the Forum are law abiding citizens. That notwithstanding, we would not rush to take decisions based on information being peddled through the press. We would therefore take the appropriate steps if we are duly notified of any existing Court order. We also assure our membership that the Forum will not renege on its quest to defend the rights of the Ghanaian worker.
CONCLUSION
We want to assure our members and the good people of Ghana that within the shortest possible time, we would address all the issues raised by the Hon. Minister and Government on the Tier 2 pensions.
ISSUED BY THE FORUM
DATED THIS 3RD NOVEMBER, 2014
CO -ORDINATOR
(REYNOLDS .O. TENKORANG)
(For and on behalf of all the Unions/Associations)
By: Efua Idan Osam/citifmonline.com/Ghana