The Joint Private Sector Business Consultative Forum will on Monday begin a strike over the recent hikes in utility tariffs and newly introduced taxes.

The Ghana Union of Traders’ Association (GUTA), Food and Beverages Importers Association, Ghana Automobile Distributors Association (GADA), Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana, Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), Freight Forwarders Association and the Customs Brokers Association of Ghana are the unions partaking in the industrial action.

The unions are also not happy with the ECOWAS Common External Tariff which took effect on February 1. The tariff seeks to promote the creation of a common market and open up the region for intra-Africa trade.

According to traders, the implementation of the tariff will be inimical to the survival of businesses since the process lacked the necessary consultation.

The group at a meeting on Monday drafted a petition referencing the various economic challenges prompting their protest.

An Executive member of GUTA, Benjamin Yeboah told Starr Business they are optimistic their strike will push government to address their concerns.

GUTA last week directed its members to hoist red flags in their shops to express resentment over government’s refusal to withdraw the taxes.