Organised Labour has called on government to reverse increases in the prices of petroleum products, which took effect on Monday.
According to Organised Labour, which comprises eight labour unions, the passage of the Energy Sector Levy Bill (2015) was rushed through Parliament without adequate consultations.
The unions argue that the increases would only worsen already bad living conditions prevailing in the country.
The parties are to meet again on Tuesday to continue negotiations on the demands of Organised Labour as yesterday’s meeting was inconclusive.
The cost of some petroleum products have gone up between 18 and 27 per cent, effective on Monday, following the passage of the levy by Parliament.
Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Mr Kofi Asamoah told The Finder that the call was made at a meeting with government officials yesterday.
Originally, yesterday’s meeting was called by the Chief of Staff to discuss the demand of Organised Labour for reduction in water and electricity tariffs.
Yesterday’s meeting was attended by leaders of Organised Labour, Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Ghana Employers Association (GEA), Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Haruna Iddrisu, Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mrs Mona Quartey, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah from the Flagstaff House, among other stakeholders.
Mr Asamoah explained that Organised Labour called for the withdrawal of the new taxes introduced on petroleum products, which has hiked the prices of petroleum products on the market.
He said they also reiterated their call for reduction in the prices of water and electricity tariffs which took effect on December 14, 2015.
He stated that the government team said it would be difficult to reverse the new taxes on petroleum products because government is in dire need of revenue.
Mr Asamoah told The Finder that AGI and GEA forcefully argued that the 59.2% increase in electricity and 67.2% in water tariffs has brought about serious consequences for business.
They added that the increase in the price of petroleum products is unwarranted.
Members of Organised Labour are Trades Union Congress (TUC), Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union (ICU), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG), and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT).
Some residents across the country described the fuel price increases as astronomical.
They said the increases, occasioned by the passage of the Energy Sector Levy, 2015, should not have been that high, especially when the world price of crude oil is about $37 per barrel.
Some said the timing of the increases was bad as many people had celebrated Christmas and parents were preparing to pay the school fees of their children.
Besides, they said, the prices of spare parts, food items and other essentials were likely go up as a result of the increased prices of fuel products.
They, therefore, appealed to the government to take immediate steps to withdraw the fuel prices since the increases were unbearable.
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