Gov't, Labour Commission To End Railway Workers Strike

The government is holding talks with the National Labour Commission (NLC) in an effort to get striking railway workers back to work. A decision is expected within the week to get the workers to move from their entrenched position. Railway workers have been on strike for the past three weeks demanding unpaid salaries and improved conditions of service. The management of the Ghana Railways Company last week made available the unpaid salaries but the workers rejected the money, and demanded a 150 per cent salary increase. The Minister of Ports Harbours and Railways, Prof. Christopher Ameyaw Akumfi told Joy News that he hoped the NLC will be able to reach an agreement with the workers. He sought to absolve the government of the crisis, arguing that the railway company is supposed to generate revenue from which the workers would be paid. The Public Affairs Director of the commission, Mr. Mohammed Affum, said the strike was illegal. He however added that the management of the company also breached Section 9 of the Labour Law by failing to pay the workers’ salaries. The strike is said to be crippling businesses, especially in the mining sector in the country.