Tema workers refuse to call-off strike
Tema workers refuse to call-off strike
Tema (Greater Accra), 3rd February 2000
Hundreds of workers belonging to the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union in Tema on Wednesday, refused to call-off their strike until the grievances, which led to the action have been resolved.
The Tripartite Committee comprising the government, Ghana Employers Association and the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in a communiqué on Monday night called on the striking workers to end their action.
This was communicated to the workers at a rally at Tema Industrial Recreation Area (TIRA) to review the action but the workers said they did no trust the Committee because of the way it had handled issues concerning workers over the years.
Appeals by Mr. Kwame Amoah-Bosompim, National Chairman of the ICU and Mr. Francis Davor, National Secretary, fell on deaf ears as the workers shouted "no way, no certificates, no work".
"Looking at the sentiments, the decision of Tema workers is that they want to see a total resolution of everything and this is the message I am sending back", Mr. Amoah-Bosompim said.
The meeting was called off and the workers asked to report at the same venue on Friday, February Four for an update.
ICU called the one-week strike, which started on Monday to protest against the way Bank for Housing and Construction (BHC) and Ghana Co-operative Bank were liquidated.
It is also in solidarity with workers of Ghana Textile Manufacturing Company (GTMC), Akosombo Textiles Limited and other textile and wire weaving companies, who are demanding certificates to join ICU instead of the Textile, Garment and Leather Employees Union (TEGLEU).
Mr. Wilson Agana, Chairman of the Tema District Council of Labour (TDCL), said the action is in defence of the 1992 Constitution and International Labour Organisation laws, which guarantee freedom of association.
The strike has partially affected few establishments in Tema with senior management personnel performing roles of junior workers.
The Commercial Banks whose workers belong to ICU worked on Wednesday.
GRi.../