3,700 Railway Workers To Lose Jobs

Even as Government's announcement of Private Sector Participation (PSP) in Ghana Railway Company (GRC) is expected to be criticised by pressure groups, one thorny issue that has already raised disquiet among workers of the Railways is the retrenchment package awaiting those to be axed.

Though the Ministry of Ports, Harbours and Railways says just about half of the GRC's 3,900 would be sent home, 'The Weekend Heritage' sources insist that as much as 3,700 out of the GRC employees may lose their jobs to pave the way for yet another PSP into a Government institution.

The Weekend Heritage sources at the Railway Company indicated that though government has assured a comprehensive retrenchment package for those to be laid off, some workers fear a raw deal could be meted out to them.

"It is now clear the majority of us would go home, even including those in senior positions, but the fact is we are not happy with the retrenchment package which we hear is nothing to take home", the source said, adding that information so far suggest their take home money would be nothing different from a worker's take home pension.

The source added that the 200 workers to be retained would be mostly made up of drivers and their assistants who would take care of the running of the trains, especially in the mining concessions of the Western Region. Professor Christopher Ameyaw - Akumfi, the Minister of Ports, Harbours and Railways in announcing government's decision to open up the Railway sector for Private participation at a Press conference last Wednesday, claimed he had no idea as to the number of staff to be retrenched. He, however, confirmed that workers would be laid off anyway.

"Concessionaire will hire a sizeable number of GRCL staff. It is expected that the proposed Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) will take far reaching measures to absorb another quantum of workers in viable areas while those on the verge of retirement or others whose productive capacity is limited would be paid adequate severance benefits", the minister assured.

He said the GRDA would regulate rail transportation in the country. Professor Ameyaw-Akumfi said the GRDA, which would be the main agency responsible for the port concession management of the railway, would also manage all railway assets, on behalf of Government, collect and manage the concession fees and all monies accruing out of the railway assets.

"The GRDA will also be in charge of any future railway studies, development and modernization in the country", he emphasised.

Continuing, he said a new Railway Act would be promulgated to regulate the construction, operation and safety of railways, adding that the law would also regulate the contract of carriage of goods and passengers.