Labour strike was instigated by NPP - UCF

The United Cadres Front (UCF) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) of being the brain behind the strike by organized labour.

The UCF claim that looking at the leadership of organized labour, it is obvious that majority of them are members of the opposition party, hence, the schemes to discredit the Mahama-led administration.

“Look at the leadership of the unionized labour today. Over 65% of them are from the opposition party and all their actions are aimed at destabilizing the government,” they said.

At a news conference to register their displeasure about the current industrial action in the country, the General Secretary of UCF, Efanam Felix Nyaku lamented that whatever resource that is lost due to the strike is irreplaceable.

They called on the unions to reconsider their stand and return to their duties, arguing that it was unusual for 12 unions to embark on strike at the same time if it did not have the backing of a political party.

“We want to use this platform to appeal to our brothers and sisters who have embarked on the current strike action to reconsider their stand; since there’s no war that does not end at the table,” they stated.

Mr Nyaku said majority of the heads of the striking unions were members of the NPP and was convinced that they had a hand in the current strike issues.

He further explained that there were some members of the NPP occupying some public offices under the present government whose aim is to cripple the government.

“In other words, why should they often act when they know that the consequences would be at the expense of freedoms and rights of others? That gives room for the speculation that, either the strike actions are politically initiated, or they are rather fuelled by politicians,” he claimed.

He mentioned that they had their members in all workplaces and would use appropriate channels to expose such people who wish the downfall of the government.

“We will use some institutions such as CHRAJ and the Judicial Service and all avenues open for lodging of complaint to bring out those people,” he added.

He disclosed that they had mapped up strategies to inform and educate Ghanaians on some bad tactics by the opposition to tarnish the image of the NDC.

He was of the view that the negative impact that the strike would have on the national economy was incalculable and urged the unions not to allow themselves to be used by some politicians for their personal gains.

According to him the indefinite industrial strike by the unions would serve as a wake up call for “non-performing” government institutions such as the National Pensions Regulatory Authority and the Single Spine Salary Structure Secretariat to sit up and work with the needed diligence to prevent such occurrence in the future.

The Cadres further pledged their support to government in its effort to make sure home-grown policies and programs of the current government become a reality.