Tema workers threaten to demonstrate over utilities

The Tema District Council of Labour (TDCL) will, on October 17, go on a massive demonstration to back their demand for a reduction in utility tariffs announced by the Public Utility and Regulatory Commission (PURC).

Members of the TDCL resolved at a general meeting on Tuesday that the PURC must reduce the recent 78.9 percent and 52 percent increment on electricity and water respectively to 15 percent.

Chairman of the TDCL, Mr Wilson Agana said unless the PURC reversed the increment within the seven working days ultimatum issued by the Council, the demonstration would be held on the main streets of Tema.

Mr Agana expressed regret that several letters and efforts to meet “one-on-one” with the PURC had proved futile.

He said the PURC had also ignored calls from organized labour not to implement the new tariffs until a decision was reached on workers request for a reduction.

Mr Agana urged the PURC to go by the laid down procedures, which required a 10 percent increment in utilities annually, instead of burdening the public with high tariffs.

Members at the meeting said workers could not pay such tariffs as it did not correspond with the 10 percent salary increment and the 17 percent increment of the minimum wage.

They also complained about the frequent increment in petroleum products and its effect on prices of goods and services.

Shop Steward with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), Mr. Emmanuel Doku, said there was the need to reduce waste at the utilities to the barest minimum.