Freight forwarders at Tema Port threaten 'sit-down' strike

A group calling itself Freight Forwarders of Tema Port has threatened a sit down strike if the call for the postponement of the implementation of the paperless regime is not heeded to.

According to them, the paperless regime which is about to be implemented on the 1st of September though laudable, freight forwarders deserve the right to be duly educated about the system and and its challenges.

The group contend that, education on the exercise has been poorly managed and most freight forwarders are at a loss on the exercise which has received nationwide attention.

To them there are aspects of the programme they perceive would put their work in jeopardy due to the recent delays at the Port.

Chairman of the group, Mawuli Tettey noted that "we are not against the policy but our main concern is the processes leading to its implementation. We think the education has not gone down well with us because some of our people even feel threatened and thinks the new policy will take them off their businesses." He stressed

He said " it is just proper stakeholders take the pain to educate us a little more on the programme so we get full understanding and ask all the nagging questions bothering us and answers provided as such" Mr Tettey intimated

He said the group is also against the bringing back of the tax stamp policy which was kicked against under the NDC administration and that they would oppose it until it scrubbed for good.

"Tax stamp is a policy that should not be entertained any day by any government because it highly not business friendly. We shall kick against it at all times because it would only come to destroy our businesses at the Port." he noted.

Mr Tettey said, freight forwarders at the Tema Port shall however continue to be in their usual red arm bands to ensure their concerns are addressed by the government.

"Our agitation would continue until we are heard and at the right time we shall embark on a sit down strike where nobody would pay duty"

Last Friday, freight forwarders at the Tema Port embarked on a mini protest to express their displeasure over the implementation of the tax stamp policy as well as a call for the extension of the paperless regime at the Ports of Ghana.

Freight Forwarders were in red arm bands amidst singing some songs to press home their concerns.