Labour To Abandon Negotiations With Gov�t

The twelve labour unions demanding the payment of their tier two pension contributions are yet to decide on whether to continue negotiations with government. A source close to the unions told Citi News that the uncertainty has been created due to government�s failure to submit its proposal on how to resolve the impasse. The unions embarked on a strike on October 22 to protest the non payment of their tier two pension funds into a pivately managed account. Though the various groups have resumed work, they have given government an ultimatum to either resolve their grievances or face their wrath. The unions said �if by one week from today, the dispute is not resolved, we shall resume the strike.� They also hoped that government and other stakeholders will �work in good faith to find amicable solutions to this dispute so that our colleagues who will retire in 2015 and beyond will be reassured of a better future.� At the last meeting between government and the unions over a week ago, it was agreed that each party presents a proposal or a framework in an attempt to resolve their differences but government�s inability to submit the proposal could further stall negotiations. The unions were forced to return to work after a court granted government an ex parte application to compel the agitating unions to call off their strike. In a bid to calm the agitating unions down, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Pensions Regulatory Commission (NPRA) Laud Senanu, confirmed that the funds accrued under the tier two pension scheme has increased to about GHc1.6 billion.