General News of Thursday, 20 November 2014

Source: tv3network.com

Labour warns of more protests on Tier 2 pension

The 12 labour unions contesting government’s management of workers’ second-tier pension funds have hinted of more demonstrations if they don’t see any positive action from government.

The unions – which have come together to form the Forum for Public Sector Registered Pension Schemes – embarked on a simultaneous procession in Accra and Kumasi on Thursday, November 20.

The demonstration has been criticised in certain quarters as sparsely attended.

“We think that our decision to embark on this demonstration was postponed as planned,” said Reynolds Tenkorang, Spokesperson of the Forum, hinting that similar actions will soon follow.

Hundreds of workers joined the procession, which began in Accra at the Obra Spot.

The Accra demonstrators ended up at the Hearts Park, where they were addressed by the union leaders.

Those in Kumasi also marched through some principal streets of the city.

Among placards wielded during the demonstration are: ‘The Pensions Act must be allowed to work’, ‘Government is doing kpakpakpa with our pension money’, ‘Our pensions, our life’ and ‘Our employers are cheating us.”

The Forum is expected to be in court on Monday, November 24 to face government over the rightful custodians of the funds.