TUC calls for better pension benefits to address poverty

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has called for better pension benefits and wages to address the high poverty rate in the country.

According to the TUC, about 200,000 pensioners were on the SSNIT scheme and a quarter, which was about 50,000 pensioners were receiving just about Gh¢300.00 as the minimum wage per month or Gh¢10.00 per day.

This, according to the Eastern Regional Secretary of the TUC, Mrs Phyllis Agyemang, was woefully inadequate, given the challenges, old people have to contend with on daily basis adding, “this explains the high incidence of poverty and destitution among pensioners in Ghana”.

She stated emphatically that there was a flaw in the social security system creating a huge disparity and that needed to be addressed considering the fact that the highest pensioner on the SSNIT scheme was receiving Gh¢55,000.00 as compared to the minimum of Gh¢300.00.

The Regional boss was addressing hundreds of workers from the various unions at the Koforidua Jackson Park to mark this year’s edition of the May Day celebration.

The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Eric Kwakye Darfuor, who read the President’s address said government recognized the contribution of workers in national development.

He urged workers to take interest in their SSNIT contributions as well as planned for retirement to ensure a comfortable life after retirement

This year’s celebration attracted hundreds of workers under organized labour from all parts of the region to take part in the march as well as communicate their issues to the government and public.

Workers from the various institutions and unions carried placards with various inscriptions such as “lack of maintenance means more dumsor”, GRIDCO is bleeding” and “pay us well to receive better pensions” among others.

Mrs Kate Asamoah, a financial controller at Ghana Post and Chairperson of the women’s Committee of the Communication Worker’s Union (CWU) was adjudged the best TUC worker for 2018 in the Eastern Region.