Organized Labour Suspends demo against VAT on electricity

Organised Labour has called off its planned demonstration, which was slated for February 13, over the 15 percent value-added tax (VAT) on electricity.

The decision comes after the government decided to suspend the tax following backlash from the minority, Organised Labour, and the general public.

In a press conference announcing their decision on Friday, February 9, General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Dr. Anthony Yaw Baah, said, “We gave the government until January 31st to withdraw the letter and warned authorities that if by that time the Minister of Finance had not given the directive to stop the VAT, we would advise ourselves.

“On 2nd February 2024, the leadership of Organized Labour met and we resolved that there will be a nationwide demonstration on the 13th of February. On the 7th of February government announced the suspension of the implementation of VAT  on electricity consumption. The leadership of Organized Labour has received a formal letter informing us of the new directive. We would therefore like to inform our members that the planned demonstration slated for 13th February has been suspended.”

The Ministry of Finance on Wednesday, February 7, issued a directive to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCO) to suspend the implementation of the tax measure to allow the government to meet key stakeholders on further deliberations.