ICU cautions Private FM stations Owners in Volta

Mr. Ananga, Regional ICU Officer (M)

The Volta regional branch of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) has sent a word of caution to owners of private FM stations and other employers in the region to desist from the blatant flouting of the labour laws by paying their employees below the national minimum wage.

According to Mr. Samuel Ananga, the Union’s regional Officer, most of the private entities including the FM stations and schools denied their workers adequate remuneration and other service benefits, despite engaging their services beyond the statutory 8 working hours per day; in violation of the international labour Organisation’s convention on ‘equal pay for equal work.’

At a press briefing to mark the maiden edition of ‘World Precarious Day’ in Ho on Tuesday, Mr. Ananga disclosed that his outfit has in recent times received numerous complaints from such workers, who in some cases are not paid their meagre salaries for months.

Workers snub Nationwide Demo in Ho

The nationwide demonstration declared by Organised Labour on Thursday was virtually boycotted by workers in the Volta region capital of Ho, as only a handful of them turnout for the event.

The demonstration organised for workers in both the formal and informal sectors to protest against “harsh economic conditions and poor governance” was delayed for almost an hour due to the poor turnout.

Interestingly, the protesters who converged at the Ho Civic Centre STC yard, were virtually outnumbered by the about 200 police personnel deployed to provide security, as they marched through some principal streets of the regional capital amidst brass band music.

They carried placards, with inscriptions “John Mahama, we are suffering”, “We dey die keke, John Mahama”  “Middle Income Country, Low Income Workers” “Oh Mahama, Never Again”, “Reduce the Tax Burden,” “Motivate the Ghanaian Worker for a Healthier Economy”, among others.

However scores of workers who did not join the protest were seen loitering around their offices at the ministries, while those in the informal sector also went about their normal businesses.