Don�t Respond To TUC's Call To Strike � Kwabena Donkor Tells Workers

The Chairman of the Energy Committee of Parliament, Dr. Kwabena Donkor has asked workers not to heed the Trades Union Congress (TUC) call to strike on November 18th strike. Organized Labor called the November 18 strike to press home its demand for a reduction in utility tariffs after the cost of power recently went up by nearly 80 percent. The cost of water also went up by 52 percent. Speaking exclusively to Citi News after Wednesday�s sitting in Parliament, Dr. Kwabena Donkor said organized labor was pushing for demands, which when heeded, could cripple the nation�s utilities. �The Utility companies are employing Ghanaians. Are they saying that we should run the utilities to the ground, so that nearly ten thousand workers or more are thrown off? I thought unionism was about brotherhood of the working people and I expect the various unions from the Volta River Authority (VRA) and the other utility companies to speak up, raise the real issues so that the country will know. If it only comes from one side it is like PURC against the rest.� �I believe the membership should see the bigger picture because it is easier to see the short term tactical issue and that is what the PURC brought up but there is a long term strategic imperative for this country.As a nation we almost collectively agree that we have come to these precepts because over a three year period, we did not do what we ought to have done and therefore we are learning and agreeing that we will not go on that projection or on that trajectory therefore TUC is now saying we should stagger,� he added.