HEADING: Public Sector Workers to Begin Indefinite Strike Over SSNIT Hotel Sale
In a major development, public sector workers in Ghana will commence an indefinite strike starting on Monday, July 15, 2024. The strike is in protest against the plans by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to sell 60% of its stake in four hotels - Labadi Beach Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Resort, Elmina Beach Resort, and Ridge Royal Hotel.
The Trades Union Congress (TUC), the umbrella body of labor unions in Ghana, announced the strike action after an emergency meeting. The TUC Secretary-General, Dr. Anthony Yaw Baah, stated that the strike will continue until SSNIT terminates the process of selling the hotel stakes.
According to the TUC, the proposed sale is "not in the best interest of Ghanaian workers," and they have demanded that SSNIT immediately stop the sale process. The strike will involve all workers in Ghana, who are expected to stay away from work until SSNIT publicly announces the termination of the sale.
The industrial action was precipitated by the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA) giving the green light to the sale, after SSNIT provided the necessary information. However, the TUC expressed its difficulty in understanding the NPRA's sudden change of stance, as the authority had previously instructed SSNIT to put the deal on hold.
The issue has also garnered political attention, with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, leading a protest against the sale and filing a petition with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) for an investigation into the process.
SSNIT has denied any foul play in the sale, stating that it went through a thorough procurement process in line with the Public Procurement Act. However, the labor unions remain steadfast in their opposition to the sale, leading to the impending indefinite strike.