Some aggrieved public sector workers have given government a 7-day ultimatum to review the 4 per cent base pay upwards to not less than 10 per cent, failing which they would embark on series of public demonstrations.
The workers yesterday, poured onto some principal streets of Accra demonstrating to register their displeasure with the recent salary adjustments.
The protestors adorned in red and black attires, called on government to increase public sector workers’ salary to 25 per cent for 2021 and 35 per cent for 2022.
The protestors meandered through the Kwame Nkrumah Avenue from Obra Spot (Kwame Nkrumah Circle), continued from Farisco Traffic Light to Cedi House. Taking a turn at the AU Roundabout, they proceeded and ended the Protest at the Independence Square.
They wielded in their hands, placards with various inscriptions like “Say No To 4% Virus”; President Nana Addo Please Intervene, Your Fellow Ghanaians Are Suffering”; TUC and Organised Labour, If you have no interest in pour welfare, we have no interest in your leadership” among many others.
The demonstration, which was convened by Mr Norbert Gborgbortsi ended with a call for government to increase Public Sector salary by at least 25 per cent in 2021 and 35 per cent in 2022 instead of the four and seven per cents proposed.
Mr Gborgbortsi addressing the media after the Protest indicated that the Prof. Yaa Baidu-Ntiamoah Emoluments Committee Report noted that the percentage increase granted to Article 71 workers should not exceed what is granted to Public Sector Office Holders.
However, the recent salary adjustment had it that the Article 71 worker earned as much as 79 for 2021 while the Public Sector was slapped with four per cent.
The Convener called on the Chief Labour Officer to be directed by law and initiate a fresh negotiation to reflect the demanded 25 per cent base pay and not the four per cent proposed.
He said the Aggrieved Public Sector Workers were giving government a maximum of one-week ultimatum to act on their petition, noting that the group would continue to demonstrate until their requests became a reality.
A Teacher who was part of the protestors indicated that the 4 and 7 per cent proposed for 2021 and 2022 respectively was very meagre compared to the astronomical increases in the prices of goods and services.
She pleaded with the President of the Republic to heed to the cry of Teachers and help them to become ‘thousandnaires’ if not billionaires since there was no room for them to easily attain the later. This, she said could be done by heeding to the current petition of the Public Sector Workers.
The Greater Accra Police Public Relations Officer, Juliana Obeng in an interview after the protests described the demonstration as a peaceful demonstration while commending them for cooperating with the Police.
Source: Julius K. Satsi || The Finder, Accra