Health Services workers across the country have expressed outrage over alleged illegal Tier 3 pension deductions, calling on their union leadership to immediately stop the deductions and refund all affected members. The workers, who claim that union leaders failed to thoroughly consider the legal implications of these deductions, are demanding answers and accountability.
The aggrieved workers criticized the leadership for neglecting to perform due diligence before implementing the Tier 3 deductions, a decision that was allegedly made at a recent congress.
“It is alarming that the leadership failed to consider the legal implications of their actions. Even more concerning is that union funds were used to train members to promote this potentially illegal action, and those trained failed to deliver,” one of the workers told newsalertgh.com on condition of anonymity.
The workers who spoke to newsalertgh.com expressed frustration over the fact that two different deductions are already made monthly for welfare dues and development levies, and they do not understand why a third deduction for Tier 3 is being imposed on them without their consent.
The workers raised two key concerns and questions.
“Why did the leadership fail to account for the legal ramifications of their decision? How could they justify using union funds to train members to promote what is now considered an illegal action?”
The workers have issued a clear demand for the immediate cessation of the illegal deductions and a full refund of all funds deducted from members. Should the union leadership fail to comply, the workers are prepared to seek legal redress.
“We will take the necessary legal steps to halt this illegality and hold the leadership accountable,” another worker warned, emphasizing that a full accounting of all union funds would be demanded.
In addition, the aggrieved workers are calling on their colleagues to stand united in fighting what they describe as an unlawful and unjust deduction.
“It’s clear that our leadership is not taking this matter seriously, and we must take a stand together,” another worker stated.
Some also stated that there was no widespread stakeholder consultation before the rollout of the policy.
This development comes after numerous complaints from health workers regarding the unauthorized GH₵50 deductions from their salaries, which have sparked widespread discontent within the sector.
Source:newsalertgh.com