Gov’t Forcing E-levy Because There Is No Money To Pay Workers – Labour Federation

The Secretary-General of the Ghana Federation of Labour, Abraham Koomson, has reiterated claims made by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, that the government may not honour its salary obligations from the next three months.

Corroborating the Speaker’s claims, Mr Koomson said, “Everyone knows the government is struggling. There’s no money, it is very clear”.

He explained that the salary delay for public servants in the last month was proof of the recent developments.

“The current situation of unpaid workers is because there’s no money; if there is, why are they forcing the E-levy through our throat?” he questioned.

Blaming the situation on labour unions, Mr Koomson said the government would not have delayed salaries if there were a united trade union.

“But I don’t blame the government. It is the trade unions I blame because they are not organised,” he lamented on Adom TV.

On Thursday, 24 February 2022, the Speaker of Parliament entreated members of parliament to show leadership in difficult times to avert possible strain on the populace due to economic challenges.

“Honourable members, the information at my disposal is not to discourage the committee from doing their work. If something is not done within the next three months, the government may not be able to even pay salaries.

“So we have to take leadership. We have to do a lot of things. With this, the House is accordingly adjourned to Friday,” he said.

However, the government has disputed the claims.

Deputy Minister for Finance, Dr John Kumah, said: “It is not true. Even when COVID-19 hit us hard, and we were struggling as a country, we still managed to pay all public workers on time. In January this year, workers were paid on time. We are hopeful that of February will be paid on time”.

According to Mr Kumah, the Speaker of Parliament made a genuine call to all MPs to support the government’s moves to shore up revenue.

“I think the Speaker made a very genuine call on all Members of Parliament to move Parliament beyond partisanship and support the government’s domestic revenue mobilization programmes, especially the E-levy so that we do not create very difficult financial constraints for the government,” he told Citi TV.