Organised Labour has announced a nationwide industrial strike, effective Monday, July 15, to protest the sale of a 60% stake in four hotels owned by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT). The strike follows the approval of the transaction by the National Pensions Regulatory Commission (NPRA) on July 11, despite initial reservations.
The four hotels in question are the Labadi Beach Hotel, the Alisa Hotel in Accra, the Tamale Hotel in Tamale, and the Bekwai Hotel in Bekwai. The sale of the hotels to Rock City Hotel, owned by Agriculture Minister Bryan Acheampong, has been met with widespread criticism from workers and labour unions.
The leadership of Organised Labour convened an emergency meeting on July 12 to discuss the development and resolve to take industrial action. Dr. Yaw Baah, Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress, urged all workers to abstain from work on Monday, July 15, until the transaction is terminated.
Baah expressed shock at the NPRA’s reversal, stating that the sale is not in the best interest of the country. He demanded that SSNIT terminate the deal immediately, warning that workers will not return to work until the sale is cancelled.
The strike is expected to paralyze economic activities across the country, as workers from all sectors are expected to join the industrial action. The development has sparked concerns about the fate of the hotels, the workers, and the overall impact on the economy.
