Tema Council of Labour to take actions for TOR

The Tema District Council of Labour (TDCL) is to embark on series of actions to back its demands for the revamping of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR).

Members of the TDCL took this decision on Tuesday at its emergency general meeting in Tema to assess the outcome of organized labour's nationwide demonstration, TOR crisis, Atuabo port issue and effect of power outages and irregular water supply on workers.

Mr Wilson Agana, Chairman of TDCL, who announced the decision after deliberations, said from Tuesday, the Council would commence series of actions, including the issuing of ultimatum to the Government, organising press conferences, demonstrations as well as a sit down strikes in the Tema District.

Mr Agana explained that organized labour had engaged the Government in many discussions concerning the TOR crisis but nothing concrete had been done leading to the gradual collapse of the refinery.

He said the problem of TOR was not only the problem for the workers but rather a national issue and ‘all seriousness must be attached to solving its current crisis.’

Mr Daniel Fugah, Chairman of the TOR Senior Staff Union, told members of the Council that the situation at the Refinery was rather becoming worse despite the Government's assurance to revamp its operations.

Mr Fugah said instead of the more than 800 workers entity getting its crude oil to refine, TOR was only handling third party oil storage.

According to him, for instance, some few weeks ago, a vessel which was supposed to discharge crude oil to TOR suddenly left to Cameroon and Spain with the oil.

Mr Fugah said it had come to their notice that Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) which had the mandate to explore for crude, had allegedly started importing finished petroleum products.

He stressed that it was about time some drastic action was taken on the TOR crisis saying that, " We don't know what tomorrow will be for the over 800 workers".

He said there was no premix fuel for fishermen due to the non-functioning state of TOR, explaining that the Bulk Distribution Companies were only interested in the importation of products such as petrol and diesel that would yield fast profit for them.

Mr Kofi Asamoah, Secretary-General of TUC, assured the TDCL of their full support and urged them to go all out with its intended series of actions.