The two passenger trains from Accra to Nsawam and Accra to Tema are likely to be affected as the Railway Workers Union are threatening to put down their tools and withdraw from services beginning Monday the 21st of July, claiming that they will resume duties once the staff salary review process is finalized.
According to the Union, a letter from the Office of the President, signed by the Chief of Staff on the 22nd of May stated that President John Mahama had directed the Ministry of Transport to ensure the implementation of the worker’s salary review by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), directive of which the union claim has receive no response and the workers can no longer withstand the current economic challenges and have called for an immediate action in response to the low level of wages.
On the 31st of October 2012, the union met with president Mahama and tabled their concerns on low levels of salaries and the revamping of the railway sector. This was recalled by the General Secretary of the Union, Mr. Godwill Ntarmah, at a news conference in Accra.
“It is the expectation of the Railway workers that the revamping of the sector would address the decline of the Railway sector and hauling of minerals, which would result in the company being self-sufficient,” stated Mr. Ntarmarh.
He said that, unfortunately, those promises were not fulfilled and the company’s performance continued to decline day by day, emphasising that buildings of the company are being auctioned by Social Security and National Insurance Trust.
Mr Ntarmah said workers continued to work under strenuous conditions due to the absence of tools, accessories and the spare parts needed to work effectively.
He explained that trackmen had to walk miles to inspect the lines and identify faulty areas because there are no rail cars to undertake those assignments.
