Head of Communications for the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Abass Imoro has stated that the Union will embark on its intended strike by Monday if government fails to address their concerns.
He adds that to draw government’s attention their grievances, members will from today, Tuesday, November 23, 2021, wear red armbands as a protest signal to alert the government of its intended strike on Monday, November 29, 2021.
Speaking to Samuel Eshun on the Happy Morning Show, he expressed: “We’ve had so much patience. After the budget, we met together yesterday for three whole hours to consider the advantages and disadvantages of any actions we take. From today onwards we have asked all our members to have a red band. But if from now to Sunday, we don’t hear anything from the government we will resume our strike on Monday, and this is the decision we took.”
Abass Imoro added, however, that as a Union, they are open to what government has on the table for them. “We haven’t taken an entrenched position that we will not listen to anyone. If they [govt] call us we will let people know. If they address our needs, the strike will not come on but if not, we will strike. We want to state that our actions are not targeted at any personality. We just want our welfare to be considered.”
Prior to the reading of the 2022 Budget in parliament, the Private Transport Operators threatened to embark on a strike action if government fails to reduce taxes on fuel.
However, Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) urged the transport operators to suspend their intended strike.
According to GPRTU, it had tabled their concerns before the Transport Minister and other ministers and was hopeful that their concerns will be addressed in the budget.
The 2022 Budget however failed to address their grievances, hence, the decision to resume its strike if government continues to remain silent on their concerns.
