The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has called for a complete overhaul of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).
Among the reasons given by the TUC Secretary-General, Dr. Yaw Baah are disparities in the pension scheme and the low pension premium paid to public sector retirees.
Speaking at a press conference, Dr. Yaw Baah stated that, while the government has agreed to pay 15% Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) to workers on the Single Spine Salary Structure, the TUC is determined to work with other Labour Unions to end the unfairness in remuneration for public sector workers.
According to him, SSNIT is not functioning as it is expected to.
“The essence of SSNIT is completely gone. What is social security about people who earn GH¢300? I can assure you that if it wasn’t pushed further to GH¢300, there would still be people who earn less than that.
“How can someone who earns GH¢40,000 be paying SSNIT whereas another who earns about GH¢300 be deducted also?”
He mentioned that TUC and its affiliates have their “eyes and minds” firmly fixed on the outcome of the Single Spine Salary Review process currently underway.
“We are determined to work together with other organized Labour groups to end the unfairness in remunerations for public sector workers on the Single Spine Salary Structure on one hand and Article 71 office holders and State Owned Enterprises on the other hand,” Mr. Baah added.
The union reiterated its opposition to Ghana’s decision to seek IMF assistance.
Dr. Yaw Baah said it will exacerbate the already dire economic situation.
