Accra, Feb 2, GNA - The Ghana Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Thursday announced a plan to embark on a nationwide demonstration over government’s refusal to restore the subsidies on petroleum products.

Mr Kofi Asamoah, Secretary General of the TUC, said at a press conference: “subsidies in fuel pricing are an important mechanism by which the state directly mitigates the effects of petroleum price increase on Ghanaians most of whom earn very low incomes or have no incomes at all.”

He said the "TUC will on February 7, 2012 hold meetings with Council of Labour in all the 10 regions to plan further actions" and expressed the belief that the mass action would compel the government to restore subsidies on petroleum products.

Explaining their intended action, Mr Asamoah, who wore a red band around his neck, said the conditions that necessitated the introduction of subsidies in fuel pricing by the previous governments were still valid, stressing the need for the government to continue with the subsidization of petroleum products. He said their members had shown overwhelming support for the position of the TUC, and noted that since the fuel price increases were announced, the leadership of the Union had taken time to meet and dialogue with the government on the issues but had not had satisfactory responses.

Mr Asamoah said: “The failure on the part of government to act is a clear indication that dialogue and consultations have failed to yield any fruitful results for workers and their families.”

Members of the TUC, who also had red bands on their wrists, head and around their necks, sang in solidarity with the position of the leadership, expressing their readiness to hit the streets anytime soon.