Petroleum sector workers appeals to government to stop multinationals from abusing members

The newly elected National Chairman of the General Transport Petroleum and Chemical Workers Union (GTPWU) Benard Owusu is calling on the Minister of Energy and the Presidency to intervene to stop multinational companies operating in Ghana’s offshore fields from abusing the rights of their members.

According to him, some of their members working with the multinational companies in the oil and gas sector are being dismissed unlawfully and asked to reapply.“Our members at the Western Region are being asked to go home and asked to reapply on contract basis.

This is not right so we want the government as a matter of urgency to intervene in this regard.”

Benard Owusu lamented that Ghanaians working with these multinationals are being paid meager salaries while their foreign counterparts are given hefty salaries with better conditions of service. Speaking to Oman FM’s Offshore News Mr. Owusu stated that the union is unhappy about this development and called for immediate steps to address the issues. He warned that the union would be compelled to resort to action that might grind the sector to a halt if the multinationals continue the way they are doing.Benard Owusu also bemoaned what he described as adamant posture on the part of most employers in ensuring decent work environment for workers.As part of effort to promote decent work, Mr. Owusu said one of the things the new leadership will do is forming a committee which will go round to ensure that employers adhere to health and safety laws as enshrined in the Labour Act.

Story by: Michael Creg Afful

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