Health Insurance Scheme-Yes; Deductions-No

Sunyani (B/A) Aug. 16, GNA- Representatives of workers in the formal sector in Brong-Ahafo, on Friday endorsed the proposed National Insurance Scheme but rejected the government's proposal to deduct two-and-a-half percent from workers' contributions to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) as seed capital. This was the outcome of a meeting of the Brong-Ahafo Regional Council of Labour, organized by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) to collate views from workers on the deduction.

Representatives from the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Judicial Service Association of Ghana (JUSAG), Ghana Registered Nurses Association, Civil Servants Association (CSA) and the various Unions forming the TUC, attended.


The workers suggested that instead of the proposed deduction, the Government could convert civil servants and teachers' yearly medical support of 15,000 cedis and 24,000 cedis each respectively to build the Fund.


A percentage of the MP's Common Fund and fund-raising harvests can be organised to raise funds, the workers said.


They, however, agreed to part with a deduction from their monthly salaries to help fund the scheme.

As to how those in the informal sector could contribute to the Scheme, the workers grouped the sector into two, the large- scale farmers and the self-employed, including farmers as those in gainful employment and who could also contribute.


Mr. Joshua Ansah, General-Secretary of the Timber and Woodworkers Union of the TUC, explained that the Government's idea of replacing the Cash-and-Carry system with the Scheme is a laudable idea shared by the TUC, but objects to "the proposal to fund it from workers contributions to SSNIT".


He urged workers to look at the merits and demerits of the proposed deduction and come out with an alternative source of funding. Mr Ansah said after a series of meetings with workers to collate their views, the TUC would meet at a national workshop to condense all the proposals after which there would be another meeting with government representatives before a final report is submitted to Parliament. Mr. Kwasi Danso-Acheampong, Legal and Industrial Relations Officer of the TUC, said workers will ensure that the bill does not overburden them.