TUC Has No Moral Right To Threaten Gov�t � Dr Apaak

Presidential staffer, Dr. Clement Apaak says he is appalled by the incessant demands for salary increment by the Trades Union Congress (TUC). According to him, labour has a responsibility to make sacrifices, especially in the face of socio-economic challenges in the country. �We are all stakeholders in the company known as the Republic of Ghana and we must make it work no matter how difficult it may be,� he stressed. Dr. Apaak was reacting to the four-day ultimatum issued by the TUC for government to increase the minimum wage or face its wrath. The Labour Union has bemoaned the high cost of living in the country and is considering a boycott of the impending May Day celebrations if negotiations on the increment of the minimum wage are not concluded before May 1. But speaking on Asempa FM�s Ekosii Sen programme on Monday, Dr. Clement Apaak said government will not be stampeded to increase minimum wage. Describing the TUC�s conduct as unfortunate, he maintained that �TUC has no moral right to threaten government�. Dr. Apaak wondered why there has not been a stalemate in negotiations between government and labour and yet the TUC is jumping the gun. He indicated that President Mahama in spite of the socio-economic challenges has made serious efforts to ameliorate the hardships in the country therefore it will not fair for the TUC to amount pressure on government. The presidential staffer observed that the government is working around the clock to resolve the issue adding that �labour has the responsibility to ensure that its members maximize productivity�. Dr. Clement Apaak urged the leadership of labour not to �unnecessary prejudice the minds of Ghanaians and sow seeds of discord by describing Ghana as a failed state." �If the state fails, labour is also going to fail so it is very important for them to partner government to make Ghana work�.