Tema, June 16, GNA - The Tema Metropolitan Council of Labour, on Tuesday, urged the Trades Union Congress to continue to press the Public Utility Regulatory Commission to review utility tariffs to meet the pockets of most Ghanaians.

In a resolution at an emergency meeting, the Council contended that the increases were highly astronomical, and could not be afforded by the majority of Ghanaians, and should therefore, be reviewed by the PURC. Members further resolved that in the interest of peace, social justice and harmonious industrial relations, the Commission, should heed to the numerous appeals from well-meaning Ghanaians, and accordingly reduce the hikes in utility tariffs.

They were of the view that the increases would have negative effects on workers and their dependants, as far as increased costs of living and potential loss of jobs were concerned. Mr Kofi Asamoah, Secretary-General of the TUC, who addressed the meeting, noted that income levels in the country were very low so if the Utility Companies need monies to revamp their equipment there should not be sharp increases in tariffs.

Mr Asamoah pointed out that the TUC's fight was not against the Utility Companies, who had given reasons for revamp, but said, "if their increases are too much of a blow, we have every reason to complain because there is a limit to which workers can afford." "Their increases should be reasonable enough," he suggested. "We prefer a gradual approach to deal with the increases and we'll all have to sit down and look for innovative methods to address the issue." "It is a simple matter that workers cannot afford the increases," he concluded. Mr Asamoah reiterated the need for workers to close their ranks so that, with a united front, they could fight the common enemy for their rights. Mr Asamoah reminded them that through collective efforts they could deal with all situations. "If we come to a situation, let us unite and fight for a common purpose and cause."

Mr Elvis Van-Lare, Greater-Accra Regional Secretary of the TUC, described the tariff hikes as "very killing and not in favour of workers at all," and therefore, urged the PURC to take a second look at them and bring them down to reasonable and appreciable levels. Mr Albert Pinto, Vice Chairman of the Council, reminded workers that since it was their right to belong to Unions they should not sit down for a calamity to befall them before rushing to unionized workers for assistance. "Do not, for instance, see the TMCL as a hospital, and run to it only when you are sick," he cautioned non-unionised workers. During an open forum, members warned their leaders to guard against the "fire service approach" to issues, whereby they sit down for a problem to crop up before they try to find solution to it. They also cautioned them not to allow their individual political affiliations to over-ride their loyalty and service to majority of the people who put them there.

Members were of the view that the President's intervention in the current impasse between four stevedoring companies and the management of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority was the surest way to put the matter to rest.

They urged government to ensure that lasting solutions were found to the problems confronting the Tema Oil Refinery, and the Tema Shipyard and Drydock Company (PSC).