Commuters along the Accra-Tema railway line are bracing for major disruptions as workers at the Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL) threaten to halt operations due to seven months of unpaid salaries.
The Railway Workers Union has issued an ultimatum, demanding immediate payment or facing a complete shutdown of services.
Franklin Leon Cobbinah, Branch Secretary of the Accra Railway Workers Union, expressed deep frustration over the prolonged salary delays. “For the past seven months, we have not been paid.
Anytime you ask, nobody is willing to give you any information,” he stated. Efforts to maintain calm among staff are deteriorating, with frustration reaching a boiling point.
Transport Minister Hon. Joseph Bukari Nipke has assured the Railway Workers Union of the government’s commitment to resolving the salary arrears and revamping the sector.
During a meeting, he acknowledged the concerns raised and emphasized the importance of modernizing and investing in the railway sector to ensure its sustainability and create better working conditions.
The financial challenges facing GRCL are not isolated. Workers have previously expressed concerns over unpaid Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) contributions, Tier Two pension payments, and other welfare dues.
These issues have compounded the financial strain on employees and threaten the overall stability of the railway sector.
The Railway Workers Union is calling on President John Mahama to intervene and address the escalating crisis. They emphasize that without immediate action, the consequences for public transportation and livelihoods will be dire.
The union’s ultimatum underscores the urgency of the situation and the need for swift government intervention to prevent a complete shutdown of the Accra-Tema railway services.
