The unionized employees of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) are staging a protest by wearing red attire. This demonstration is in response to a directive issued by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) to eliminate certain allowances that the employees have been receiving, but are deemed ineligible for.
In a letter addressed to the Controller and Accountant General, the Chief Executive of the Commission, Ing. Benjamin Arthur, instructed the discontinuation of allowances that some staff members have been enjoying over the past years. This directive follows the Nationwide Payroll Monitoring Exercise initiated by the Commission in April.
Arthur’s letter, dated Thursday, April 20, further instructed that staff members of GBC who have received these unearned allowances, totaling Two Million, Eighty-Four Thousand and Twenty Ghana Cedis (GH¢2,084,020.00) per annum, should reimburse the allowances to the appropriate GoG Suspense Account.
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However, during an interview on The Breakfast Show on Monday, May 22, the Chairman of the GBC Divisional Union, Sam Nat Kevor, strongly criticized the Chief Executive of the Commission, questioning the basis upon which he unilaterally concluded that the staff members are not entitled to these allowances. According to Kevor, there was no consultation or engagement with the union regarding the exercise.
Kevor expressed concern that the directive from Ing. Arthur would exacerbate the challenges faced by GBC employees and disrupt the previously harmonious work environment. He emphasized the need to preserve peace within the organization and insisted that their allowances should remain intact by the end of the month.
Tahiru Abdul-Razak Mohamed, the Chairman of the Senior Staff Management Union, stated that salaries of senior staff have actually decreased by 33 percent over the years. He pointed out that 70 percent of the current Directors are serving in acting positions as Deputy Directors, and thus, the Acting Directors are receiving appropriate remuneration for their duties.
The protesting workers entered the studios to convey their demands and issued a warning that they may disrupt the peaceful work environment if their concerns are not addressed.
