Workers in Accra demonstrate against SSNIT deduction for NHIS

Accra, Sept. 24 GNA - Hundreds of workers of unionised labour under the Trades Union Congress (TUC) on Wednesday went on a demonstration in Accra to protest against government's decision to deduct two and half per cent of their contributions to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to fund the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

TUC Secretary General Kwasi Adu-Amankwah, along with the Leadership of the Congress, led the three-hour demonstration that began from the Forecourt of the TUC Building at about 1000 hours and ended at the Ministry of Employment and Manpower Development, where the workers presented their protest to the Sector Minister, Mr Yaw Barimah. Wearing red bands on the neck and wrists, the Leadership of the Congress, with hands locked in one another's, led the demonstrators through the Farisco Avenue in Adabraka, Kwame Nkrumah Avenue, Kwame Nkrumah Circle, Ring Road and the Liberation Circle. They chanted war, gospel and hi-life songs with an accompaniment of brass band.

Police personnel, marched by the sides, front and back of the demonstrators, who wielded placards on which were inscribed expressions of their protests. Police Commissioner in Charge of Operations, Dr Kofi Manfo was in a Toyota Tundra vehicle driven alongside the demonstrators.

As section of the demonstrators distributed leaflets on their concerns, others displayed the placards, some of which read: "SSNIT Money is Not Government Money"; "Don't Use Our Pension Money For NHIS"; " 21/2 Per Cent, No Way"; "21/2 Per Cent Is Workers' Money, Not Government Money"; and "We Have A Right To Control SSNIT Funds". The workers' petition, which Mr Adu-Amankwa read, said the 21/2 per cent deductions of the workers' SSNIT contributions, as "it stands now is inconsistent with the stated objectives of the Social Security Law, PNDC Law 247."

The Board and the Management of the SSNIT should have elicited the consent of Organised Labour before attempting any appropriation from the contributions, the workers said.

They, therefore, called on the government to amend the portion of the Act that seeks to appropriate 2.5 per cent of Workers' SSNIT contribution to fund the NHIS, after which they would co-operate with the government in implementing a successful National Health Insurance Scheme.

Mr Barimah promised to send the concerns they had raised to government.

He commended the Leadership of the Congress on their pragmatism and openness in the handling of the situation, but expressed sorrow that the issue had reached a point of demonstration despite the mutual respect and dialogue that existed between the government and the Congress. He, however, said both parties should be able to reach a satisfactory position that would be in the best interest of the people of Ghana.

Mr Barimah told the workers that government would not be dogmatic about positions and asked the Congress to adopt a similar stance. Among the Leadership of the Congress that took part in Wednesday's demonstration were Mr Smart Chigabatia, Executive Secretary of the Civil Servants Association; Mrs Winifred Amugi, Second Vice Chairperson of the Ghana TUC; Mr Samuel Kangah, General Secretary of the General Agricultural Workers Union and Mr Abu Kuntolo, Deputy General Secretary of the Health Services Workers Union.

Others were Mr Pious Quainoo, General Secretary, Construction and Building Materials Workers Union; Mr S. K. Bonnah, General Secretary, Local Government Workers Union; Mr Ekow Dadzie, General Secretary, Commercial Workers Union and Mr Lovelace Mensah, General Secretary of National Union of Seamen.

Earlier in Press interview, Mr Kweku Darko Aferi, Head of the TUC Public Affairs, said the TUC would seek redress from the court if the government failed to heed their protest.

The TUC would still insist on workers rights if the court ruled against it, he said.

Meanwhile, some major workers Unions- the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the Judicial Service Association of Ghana, the Ghana Registered Nurses Association, and a group of Construction Workers- on Tuesday dissociated themselves from the demonstration and pledged their support for the NHIS.

A meeting between a team of Ministers and Labour Leaders held in Accra on Monday over the NHIS ended in a deadlock.

While the TUC stuck to its guns that the 21/2 per cent deduction of workers' contributions to SSNIT was not in their interest, the Ministers, led by Health Minister Dr Kwaku Afriyie, maintained otherwise.

Mr Barimah expressed his disappointment at the stalemate. on of workers contributions to the SSNIT scheme.

Meanwhile, Mr Barimah has confirmed that government gave the TUC Leadership 200 million cedis to go round their various branches to consult and educate their membership on the NHIS. This was because they had not made provision for the exercise under their current budget. There had been agitations among workers against the government's decision to deduct 21/2 per cent of their SSNIT contributions to fund the NHIS. These got to a head within the last two weeks with Organised Labour threatening to go on demonstrations and to embark on strike action should the government remain adamant.

No march In Kumasi

Labour unions in Kumasi did not take part in the demonstration because according to them, there was limited time to mobilize their people. The Union leaders are therefore holding consultations to garner support and hold the demonstration at a later date, if possible.

But residents in Kumasi have reportedly been lambasting the TUC for mooting the idea of a demonstration. Callers to various radio stations argued that the passage of the bill will enable people in informal sectors including farmers, who have always toiled for the nation, to enjoy free medical care. But representatives of labour have flawed that argument saying that workers also pay taxes for development.

Ho workers go on protest march against NHIS

Ho, Sept 24, GNA- The protest march by labour organisations in Ho against the deduction of two-and-half percent of workers SSNIT contributions to the National Health Insurance Scheme started with mixed signals sent out by announcements of pull-outs by the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) and the Judicial Service Association of Ghana (JUSAG).

At about 0730 hours there were four protesters while about 10 policemen stood by.

Mr Maxwell Akoto-Mireku, Volta Regional Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that he had to put in efforts to reassure workers that the withdrawal had not affected the original plan.

The hour-long march, through some principal streets of Ho with placards some of which read: "Mr. President Keep Off Workers Money", "2004 is coming" and "Effective Consultation, Evidence of Good Governance" ended at the precincts of the Volta Regional Co-ordinating Council (VRCC) where a resolution was presented to Mr Kwasi Owusu-Yeboa, Volta Regional Minister.
The Minister told the demonstrators, numbering about 200 that the government has not shut its doors to negotiations but would continue to consult with all stakeholders on the issue. About 80 police personnel were mobilised to maintain order during the march.

NHIS Demonstration 2 (Datelined Cape Coast)

At Cape Coast, the workers defied an early morning drizzle and marched through the streets of the town to protest against government's intention to use 2.5 per cent of workers SSNIT contributions as seed money for the Scheme.
Most of the workers, who wore red bands, carried placards some of which read, "don't use our money rough rough,'' ''give democracy a chance,'' ''listen to the voice of workers,'' thou shall not take 2.5 per cent SSNIT,'' and ''NHIS is good but not 2.5 SSNIT contribution." Mr Wallace Kwaw, the Central Regional Chairman of the TUC said the union's stand that it is not against the NHIS but the proposed deductions.
He said the government did not have enough dialogue with workers while it has also not stated how long the deduction would be made. Mr Kwaw called for a continuous dialogue to ensure a lasting solution to the problem.
Mr Clement Bannerman, the District Chairman of the Civil Servants' Association, suggested that the government should levy the public and not use workers contributions for the health scheme.

NHIS Demonstration Takoradi

About 300 workers from public and private organizations in the Takoradi metropolis on Wednesday went on a four-hour demonstration to protest against the use of 2.5 percent of workers' SSNIT contributions for the proposed National Health Insurance Scheme.
The demonstration was organized by the Trades Union Congress nationwide to drive home its resistance to the government's proposal to use the workers' contribution for the scheme.
The Takoradi protestors, led by the regional TUC executives, carried placards and marched through the principal streets in Takoradi and later presented a resolution to the regional Co-ordinating Council. Some of the placards read: "We say No to 2.5 SSNIT Deduction", "Arbitrary deduction of workers SS contribution by Government is fraud", "Government, Labour in deadlock over NHS" and "Don't rush NHS".
The resolution, presented by Mr M.A.B.Quarm, the Regional Secretary of TUC, called on the President not to give his assent to the National Health Insurance Act, which was recently passed by Parliament.
It said Parliament's action was arbitrary because there were fundamental questions about the legality of the deductions from SSNIT contributions that the new law seeks to sanction.
The TUC said it would seek clarification at the appropriate time on the legal status of the law, which should spell out the details of coverage and its products.
Organised labour is of the firm view that government ought to consult more and engage better with various social groups and stakeholders to ensure that the design of the National Health Insurance Scheme can meet the collective aspirations of all Ghanaians in the area of health care provision.
Mr John Eric Jainie, the Regional Co-ordinating Director, who received the resolution, commended the demonstrators for exhibiting maturity during the march.
He said the resolution would be forwarded to the appropriate quarters for their grievances to be addressed.

NHIS Demonstration Tamale

At Tamale, Charles Bintim, Deputy Northern Regional Minister, appealed to the workers to remain calm and patient since there was enough room for government to dialogue with them to yield good results on the scheme.
"Government will continue to dialogue until such a time that Ghanaians would come to understand and accept the Act, which is replacing the 'Cash and Carry' system", Mr Bintim said Mr Bintim said government was more concerned about the welfare of workers and will not do anything to affect their future and called on all to support the Act.
He said some Ghanaians were dying while others were being held hostage for their inability to settle their hospital bills adding that the scheme was to address this problem.