Employment Ministry ends conflict between MODEC and TUC

The Ministries of Employment and Labour Relations; and Energy and Petroleum, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to end the impasse between MODEC Ghana Limited and Trades Union Congress (TUC).

The agreement was arrived at by representatives from the Petroleum Commission, MODEC, General Transport Petroleum and Chemical Workers Union (GTPCWU) of TUC.

The parties agreed to commit to the MOU signed on October 30, 2014 and to continue discussions within the context of the said MOU at the standing Negotiating Committee to be re-convened on November, 27, 2014.

Also, both parties have stated their regret for the events of October 27 to October 30 and expressed commitment to ensure that it is not repeated.

Management also agreed to re-instate the workers whilst the Union pledged their commitment to obey all lawful instructions issued out by MODEC.

Another agreement was that management would be allowed to exercise their right to train the employees and they are expected to comply.

The parties also agreed that the workers would sign an undertaking to be of good behaviour and also commit to ensure the protection and safety of other employees as well as the Floating Production Storage and Offloading facility (FPSO).

They also committed that the Union would be notified of a pending redundancy exercise of section of employees and that, the process would continue as normal.

The workers agreed not to engage in any industrial action on board the FPSO.

Alhaji Fuseini Iddrisu, General Secretary of GTPCWU said in an interview with Ghana News Agency that they are pleased with the collective agreement on the negotiations that salaries would resume on November 27.

He said the union is collaborating with the petroleum commission to come out with basic salary for all oil and gas workers.

“If management of MODEC fails to comply with this MOU, then we will have a bigger opportunity to do more than we have done,” he warned.

Addressing the issue of pension scheme of the public sector and the government at a news briefing, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, he said government would not change its position in seeking statutory interpretation on who is right and who is wrong in the matter.

Mr Iddrisu described as surprising unions move to embark on demonstration in some parts of the country adding that it is appropriate to respect the court of law as it handles the case.