Workers Mark May Day In Grand Style

Labour unions led by the umbrella body, Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Thursday marked May Day in a grand style at the Black Star Square, in Accra, on the theme �Ghana�s economy a concern for all�. The workers from various labour unions in the country clad in t-shirts and caps of diverse colours converge as early as 0700 hours at the Square to observe the Day amidst drumming and dancing. The occasion was addressed by President John Dramani Mahama and Mr Kofi Asamoah, Secretary General of the Ghana Trade Union Congress. Some of the labour unions that took part in the celebration were the Ghana News Agency�s Communications Workers Union (CWU) and the Public Services Workers Union, the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union, and Ghana Airport Company. Others are Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU), Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Heath Service Workers Union (HSWU), Ghacem, Metro Mass Transit Union, Ghana Cocobod, Ghana Registered Nurses Association, Aviance, Metro TV Local Chapter of CWU, and the Social Security and National Insurance Trust. The rest include Local Government Workers Union, Taysec, Kasapreku, Greater Accra Tomatoes Traders Association, Railway Workers Union, Railway and Allied Transport Workers Union, Ghana Manganese Company Limited, Papaye Fast Food Co Ltd, and Hair Dressers and Beauticians Association of Ghana. The event hits its climax as placard and banner wielding workers participated in a mach pass, whilst President Mahama took the national salute. Some of the placards read: �Unemployment is killing the youth,� �Single spine is killing workers,� �Di Wo Fie Asem �and� Better Ghana must go with better salaries.� Others are: �Ghana Airport Company should be made an Authority,� �Pay teachers car maintenance allowance,� �Pay teachers transfer grants,� �Fix the economy,� �Reduce the economic hardship,� and �Where are the jobs for the youth.� A cross section of the workers the GNA expressed dissatisfaction over the inability of government and the tripartite committee to reach an agreement on the new minimum wage before the celebration. Mr Komla Katdue of TEWU said he was highly disappointed in government�s inability to come out with a new daily minimum wage. He appealed to government to always ensure that workers salaries hit their accounts before the end of each month. Ms Mabel Addo of the HSWU said she was not happy with the way government and the tripartite committee are handling the issue of the daily minimum wage. Mr Felix Akumah of GTA said Ghanaians are going through difficult times and it would be better the government increases the salaries of workers to mitigate the cost of living.