Bolgatanga, Feb. 9, GNA- Members of the Upper East Regional Chapter of the National Lottery Receivers Union have joined their counterparts nationwide to protest against the reduction of commission paid to them by the National Lottery Authority (NLA).

They said the decision by the board of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning to review downward the commission paid to lotto retailers from 25 per cent to 20 per cent was unacceptable.

The review should have taken effect from February 1, 2011, was in line with government's decision to increase revenue to the state as indicated by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning when he presented the 2011 budget statement to Parliament last November.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Bolgatanga at the weekend, the leadership of the union lamented that even with the present 25 per cent commission, life was extremely difficult for them because they had to pre-finance themselves by raising capital to buy the lottery receipts. Madam Beatrice Ali Amoah, Chairperson of the union, stated that lotto business was their main occupation and if nothing was done about the situation, they would find it difficult to take care of their families. She said unlike other classes of workers, lotto receivers do not have end of service benefits, no pension and no Single Spine.

She said if government does not consider their plight and go ahead to review the commission downward, they would be forced to join banker-to-banker where retailers' commission is 35 per cent.

The Upper East Regional Manager of the NLA, Mr Joseph Dassah, said there was no clear cut fixed percentage on the commission as dialogue between the NLA board and its stakeholders was on-going.

He entreated the lotto operators to exercise restraint and go about their duties until a solution is found.