Trades Union Congress (TUC) and 35 organised labour unions have announced that they will embark on a demonstration on Feb. 13.
This follows the government’s refusal to concede their demand to withdraw the 15 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) imposed on electricity.
The TUC and 35 other labour unions believe that they were too overburdened and therefore, this new VAT will worsen their situation.
Speaking in local parlance during a crucial meeting on Friday, Feb. 2, the General Secretary of TUC, Dr. Anthony Yaw Baah expressed the union’s concern.
“We have agreed not to pay, so we gave the government until 31[January] to implement changes. If they don’t change we mentioned that we will decide on what to do. Now we have decided to demonstrate on the 13th of February in all regional capitals.”
“Ghana workers, both formal and informal, in both the public and private sector, have decided to demonstrate in all regional capitals. From Accra to Bolgatanga.”
Dr. Baah said if the government fails to rescind its decision to implement the 15 per cent tax on electricity or call them to the negotiation table, before Tuesday, they would embark on the demonstration.
“If the government does not want us to embark on the demonstration, they should withdraw the letter, and if we don’t hear anything before Tuesday, February 13, we will demonstrate.
“The demonstration is to show the government that we will not pay [the VAT]. The country is ours and we say we don’t agree to pay VAT,” he added.
Meanwhile, from Feb. 5, all members of the unions will be clad in red to express their displeasure.