Labour unions on strike over tier-2 pension

Twelve public sector labour unions in Ghana have declared an indefinite strike action.

The twelve labour unions are protesting the manner in which government is handling their tier-2 pension contributions.

The unions include the Ghana Medical Association, the Civil and Local Government Staff Association, CLOGSAG and the Ghana National Association of Teachers, GNAT.

The unions are demanding that their tier-two pension contributions spanning 2010 to 2016, be transferred to their custodian banks rather than being kept in a temporary pensions account where it accrues no interests.

In July 2017, the Public Relations Officer of CLOGSAG, one of the striking unions, Edmund Acquaye, said the unions will advise themselves if the government does not heed to their demand.

“We are asking the government to pay the monies that have been accrued by the Bank of Ghana that is in the temporary pensions account. What we are saying is that, since 2010 to 2016, contributors’ money have been kept at the Bank of Ghana which is yielding no interest.”

This is not the first time the labour unions are striking over the same matter.

In 2014, the labour unions laid down their tools. They were subsequently sued the then Mahama-led government to end the strike that resulted in the partial or complete shutdown of most public institutions.