Labour Unions Vent Spleen On Gov�t �Protest Over Tier-2 Pension

The 12 labour Unions demanding their Tier-2 Pensions funds from the government yesterday morning took to the streets of Accra and Kumasi to register their displeasure over the manner government is handling the issue. The workers last month embarked on a nationwide strike insisting that government gave them their Tier 2 cash to manage themselves but were forced to resume work by government after it secured an order from the law court. The demonstrations which took place at the regional capitals of the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions respectively saw workers remaining resolute on their decision as they stood sharply divided with government over who manages the pension fund. The workers are opposed to a decision by government to choose a private trustee, Pension Alliance Trust, to oversee the management of their Tier-2 Pension contributions. Government who is their employer is also not ready to heed to the clarion call made by the 12 labour unions. The unions poured onto the streets in red clothes to accentuate their plight carrying placards with inscriptions such as: �Who is behind the pension allowance��, "Mahama, do you want to eat with your hands and feet at the same time?", "Allow the law to work�. The march kicked start from the Obra Spot at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle with members of the Health Service Workers Union, Teachers and Educational Workers Union and the National Association of Graduate Teachers all included. Leaders of the various labour unions, who addressed the protesters at the end of the demonstration, emphasized the position of the labor unions on why government should handover the management of the Tier-2 pension fund. Information from the Ashanti Regional capital, Kumasi indicated that the protesters refused to present a petition to the Ashanti Regional Minister Samuel Sarpong, contrary to initial plans stating that they were entitled to decide whether or not to present a petition when they demonstrate.