Organised Labour has suspended its industrial action which started today Monday, July 15.
This was announced by the Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Dr Yaw Baah during a news conference in Accra on Monday, July 15.
Organised labor had declared an indefinite strike over the move by the Social Security and National Insurance result (SSNIT) to dale 60 percent shares of its hotels.
“On Friday the 12th of July 2024 organized labour called on all workers to join an indefinite strike starting today Monday 15th of July 2024 to back our demand for the termination of the process towards the stake of 60 of SSNIT shares on the four hotels. In a letter dated 12th of July 2024, SSNIT informed organized labor that it had terminated the sale of 60 of its stake in the holders.
“At an emergency meeting held today July 15, 2024, organised labour has decided to call off the strike,” Dr Yaw Baah said.
This comes after SSNIT announced its discontinuation of the sale of the 60% shares in the four hotels.
SSNIT’s decision to discontinue the sale followed the earlier notice by labour unions to embark on a nationwide strike following approval by the National Pensions and Regulatory Authority (NPRA) for SSNIT to procced with the sale of 60% shares in the four hotels.
A statement released by SSNIT on Friday, July 12 announced to the public the termination of the controversial sale of the shares in the hotels.
“The Board and management of Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) wish to inform the public that the process to divest 60% of SSNIT’s stake in the hotels has been terminated,” Board Chair of SSNIT Elizabeth Akua Ohene said in the statement.
Background
Rock City Hotel, owned by Agriculture Minister Bryan Acheampong was revealed few weeks ago has the sole investor which satisfied the bidding process to purchase 60% of shares in SSNIT’s four hotels.
The news about the sale of the 60% shares of the four hotels was met with resentment from all corners of the general public.
It said the four hotels which were put up for sale were running consistent losses and SSNIT has no funding to revive the hotels, hence, the need to put it up for sale.
When the matter came to light, North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa vehemently opposed the bid saying state officials cannot “loot and share” state assets.
He further organised a demonstration to protest against the sale of SSNIT Hotels. Various labour unions also spoke against the move which further prompted the NPRA to direct SSNIT on June 28 to suspend its negotiations with Rock City over the sale of four hotels, pending further evaluation and engagement.
However, answering questions on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, July 11, Employment and Labour Relations Minister, Ignatius Baffour Awuah confirmed that NPRA has given the go ahead for the hotels to be sold after the Authority was satisfied that SSNIT has complied with all due processes.
He said the directive from the NPRA was only to ensure that SSNIT had complied with all the processes and documentation and not to completely prevent SSNIT from selling the hotels.
“Yes, it is true that NPRA came up with a directive, but I would appreciate it if my brother, my colleague, really read the directive from NPRA. It said it needed to be furnished with all information relating to the sale of the hotels, which SSNIT has since done that.
“Yes, so, as a minister, I can tell you tell you on authority that NPRA has since indicated that they have seen the processes, and they think that SSNIT can go ahead.”
This revelation prompted several labour unions to take action by declaring a nationwide strike following which SSNIT has terminated the controversial sale of 60% of its shares in the four hotels.
The post Organised labour suspends strike first appeared on 3News.
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