General News of Tuesday, 23 September 2003

Source: GNA

Three workers Union against TUC demonstration

Accra, Sept. 23, GNA - Three major workers Unions have disassociated themselves from tomorrow's demonstration organised by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) against the implementation of the National health Insurance Scheme (HHIS).

The Unions are Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) and the Judicial Service Association of Ghana (JUSAG).

The three Unions among other reasons said they were disassociating themselves from the action because they supported the NHIS and, therefore, saw no need for the demonstration, a statement issued at the end of the meeting said.

In a related development, a group of Construction Workers have also disassociated themselves from the demonstration and pledged their support for the NHIS.

In a statement to the press on Tuesday, the workers argued that though their employers contribute to Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) scheme on their behalf they never benefited from the pension scheme because they did not stay long enough on the jobs to benefit from the package.

They said the NHIS was the only benefit they will be getting for their contributions and therefore called on their compatriots throughout the country to ignore the demonstration.