Gov’t will discuss measures of cushioning workers – Haruna

Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, on Thursday indicated that government would discuss ways of cushioning workers with a base pay increase or cost of living allowance to compensate for the recent utility tariffs.

He said under the current circumstances it is difficult to withdraw the levies that led to the hikes in petroleum prices and utility tariffs.

Mr Haruna who revealed this in an interview at the start of a second closed door meeting with the Ghana Employers Association and organised labour at the Flagstaff House said: “It will be very difficult if not impossible to withdraw the levies imposed.”

He explained that the levies were implemented to offset some debts that had been accumulated over the years and ensure that the load-shedding that had plagued Ghanaians for some years now was brought to the end.

On the reduction of tariffs, Mr Iddrisu explained that a team had been put in place to review and based on the outcome, the Public Utilities Regulatory Company would act and implement.

Other members of Government delegations were: Mr Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Minister of State at the office of the president and Mr John Jinapor, Deputy Minister of Power.