By Nathaniel Nartey.
The Coalition of Aggrieved Public Sector Workers has demanded a renegotiation of the 4 percent base pay agreement. The Coalition is demanding at least 25 percent increase in the base pay.
At a demonstration on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, to drum home their concerns, GBC’s Nathaniel Nartey reports that turnout was low with the Police personnel outnumbering the protestors in the third demonstration to hit the capital in less than two months after the NDC’s Youth ”MARCH FOR JUSTICE’ demonstration.
Expectations were high for the demonstration by the Coalition of Aggrieved Public Sector Workers following the hugely patronised MARCH FOR JUSTICE by the NDC on July 6, 2021, and #FIXTHECOUNTRY demonstration on August 4, 2021.
Many were those left, expressing surprise at the low turnout including the police, whose deployment appeared to have outnumbered the protestors.
Meanwhile, leadership of the Coalition of Aggrieved Public Sector Workers insisted that the number of people present for the march was irrelevant, rather the message should be the focus.
The group numbering close to 50 hoisted placards with inscriptions such as “We want 25%, not 4%’’, “Union dues should freeze with immediate effect’’, “TUC you have disappointed us’’, and ‘’Mr. President how can 4% benefit the Public Sector worker’’, among others.
Lead Convenor, Norbet Gborgbortsi told GBC NEWS that Parliament had refused to accept the petition earlier expected to be presented to the House. He said the Speaker gave an excuse that the standing orders were not being followed.
However, just as they were raising concerns, the leadership of the group received information that Parliament was ready to receive the petition under strict conditions. Norbert Gborgbortsi presented the petition to the gathering, before marching to Parliament House to do the presentation, which was received.
Some of the protestors who spoke to GBC NEWS said they are very concerned about the hardship in the country and want their salaries looked at again.
“Some are virtually taking everything for free and are receiving more, yet they are collecting fat salaries.’’
“We need to start re-negotiating starting from 25 %, but that is not the ultimate,’’ the protestors intimated.
They insisted that the demonstration will be replicated until the 4% percent base pay is successfully renegotiated.
