ICU Ashanti issues resolution for government to fix the economy

The Ashanti regional council of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) has issued an eight point resolution calling on government to “rethink, redirect and restructure polices” for the national economy to inure to the benefit of the Ghanaian worker.

Concerns raised at the Union’s annual meeting in Kumasi included the falling rate of the Ghana cedi and workers purchasing power; corruption; salary disparities and conditions of service; and general cost of living affection the workers.

Others issues are the over-burden tax system, poor management of the pension fund and abandonment of state owned enterprises.

According to Regional ICU Secretary, Simon Baba Alootey, the contract license of Neoplan Ghana has been withdrawn since 2009. This, he says, is leading to the imminent collapse of the company as it is unable to build coaches to feed the Metro Mass Transport system.

 

“The mismanagement and abandonment of state owned enterprises such as Neoplan Ghana Limited can no longer be tolerated by the ICU in the region and therefore call on the government to take urgent steps to restore Neoplan Ghana to its original state,” said the ICU.

The Council called on government to stop importation of Chinese buses into the country but renew contract with Neoplan Ghana to create and sustain employment opportunities.

The Council also noted with great dismay the growing rate of unemployment in the country and its effect on labour and wants the Ministry of Employment to provide concrete policy in addressing the canker.

The ICU has charged government to take the necessary steps to address the concerns by 1^st May, 2014, else “would be left with no other option than to embark on series of demonstrations and street protests to register its displeasure in the way the country is being managed”.

Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh