Government has stressed and assured public sector workers that there will not be laying off of workers as it rounds up a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on seeking support for the country’s challenged economy.
The pledge comes in the wake of the anxiety shown by organised labour that government may be bound to sack workers as a condition for an IMF bailout as has been the case in some previous instances.
The IMF over the weekend issued a communiqué at the end of discussions with government officials, where it supported government’s move to lessen the country’s high public sector wage bill which is believed to be a contributory factor to the ailing economy.
Speaking in an interview with Accra based STARR FM, Deputy Finance Minister; Cassiel Ato Forson noted that the proposal by the IMF will not result in lead job losses in the public sector as is being speculated.
“We are not going to lay off workers; that is out of it. That is not what we are talking about. We have always engaged labour in this matter.
He added that government has always involved labour in reaching any such conclusions and will always ensure the interest of the masses is served.
“We work with labour and we will always continue to work with labour to ensure that we do what is right for labour”, Hon Ato Forson said.
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