Organised Labour And Government Urged To Resolve Differences Over Management Of Pension Fund

The issue of who manages the second tier pension scheme is still topical. Should the powers be given to government or the leadership of organised labour. 

Radio Ghana sought the views of financial experts on the issue. 

The Dean of School of Business and Leadership at the Regent University of Science and Technology, Dr Ebenezer Mensah Ashely thinks organised labour must allow government to play an active role in the investment and management of the fund. 

He also thinks government must also assure workers especially those who retired this year that they would have access to their monies on time. 

Meanwhile, a Labour Consultant, Austin Gamey says government is right in seeking legal interpretation and reporting to the labour commission on the strike by public sector workers. 

He said in the current circumstances that are the only option left to government. 

The eight labour organisations last week declared a strike against government's decision to have a hand in the management of the second tier pension fund, saying the decision is in contravention of the pension law 2008 Act 766. 

But government said the strike is illegal and has sued the eight labour organisations. 

The labour organisations say they are yet to receive any legal suit from government. 

In a related development, a Chartered Economist and A Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Coast, Dr John Gati, says embarking on strikes prevents health practitioners from attending to patients and teachers from imparting knowledge. 

He said even though it is relevant to ensure safety of pension fund, the right processes must be followed. 

Speaking on Uniiq Breakfast Drive, Dr Gati said if government is to assist retirees when their pension fund fails, then it is imperative for labour unions to revisit the appointment of trustees in the interest of the country. 

Dr Gati called for a stakeholder approach to manage the pension scheme to allow collaboration with the parties involved.

GBC