Prof. Stephen Adei and Dr. Yaw Baah
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has lashed out at Prof Stephen Adei following the latter’s scathing remarks about Ghanaian workers.
In a scathing statement signed by TUC Secretary General Dr. Yaw Baah, Prof Adei was told that he is clueless about industrial relations.
The TUC, in what appeared like rapid blows on the image of the Prof, told him that “it comes as no surprise that the President has been swift in kicking you out of the state institutions he appointed you to lead.”
Continuing, the TUC told the Prof that “TUC and Organised Labour will no longer sit down for you to continue the unwarranted attacks on Ghanaian workers and their trade unions.”
The basis for the TUC’s beef lies in a recent interview on a local television station during which the Prof passed unsavoury remarks about Ghanaian workers.
Ghanaian workers, he reportedly said, are among the least productive globally, adding that Togolese workers are more productive.
The TUC, along with Organised Labour, stated that they “will no longer sit down for you [Prof Adei] to continue the unwarranted attacks on Ghanaian workers and their trade unions.”
“We are convinced that you are clueless about industrial relations and the challenges Ghanaian workers are grappling with. We will respond to any such attacks from you, henceforth.”
The TUC pointed out that Prof Adei had in the past reportedly called for the dismissal of all public basic school teachers, alleging without any evidence that the “teachers are not teaching.”
“Two years ago, you reportedly urged government to sack public sector workers who were only exercising their legal right to strike. You have now established yourself, firmly, as anti-Ghanaian worker,” the union disclosed.
The TUC also mentioned that in 2019, the Professor claimed that 50% of public service workers are overpaid, and that these workers do not deserve their salaries.
“In that interview, you falsely claimed, among other things, that the attitude of the Ghanaian worker remains one of the worst across the world. Again, in 2019, you advocated the removal of students and labour representatives from the governing councils of public universities. And in December 2013, you rubbished the demand by doctors, pharmacists, lecturers, and senior staff of public universities and polytechnics for market premium, stating that they “must thank God [that they have] job[s] and not market premium.”
The TUC expressed disappointment over the long list of Prof Adei’s negative comments about Ghanaian workers and their unions.
“You are on a mission to discredit Ghanaian workers at the least opportunity. You have been deliberate and consistent in attacking workers and courting public disaffection for them. The working people of Ghana will not tolerate your attacks any longer,” the statement pointed out.
Prof Adei was kicked out from his position as Board Chairman of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) last year.
By A.R. Gomda