Chairman of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Ghana and National Chairman of the General Transport, Petroleum and Chemical Workers Union, Bernard Owusu, has strongly condemned the recent salary reductions imposed on Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) workers.
Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Owusu questioned the logic behind making workers bear the brunt of declining global cocoa prices.
“We will not accept salary cuts because of declining world cocoa prices. The COCOBOD worker did not set international cocoa prices. The worker does not control the global market. The worker is not responsible for economic mismanagement. So why must the worker suffer?” he said.
Mr. Owusu stressed the stark income disparity between management and workers.
“When CEOs earn GH₵200,000 a month, and workers earn GH₵10,000–20,000, the gap is clear. Yet in difficult times, it is the worker they want to sacrifice,” he stated.
The TUC chairman also said the cuts appear to violate existing agreements.
“The imposed salary reductions are contrary to our Collective Bargaining Agreement. Salary matters must be negotiated with the recognized unions—not imposed unilaterally. COCOBOD workers are not shock absorbers,” Owusu warned.
He listed the union’s demands, stressing fairness and transparency.
“We demand respect for the CBA, proper union engagement, full transparency, and shared responsibility. An injury to one is an injury to all. Solidarity forever.”
His comments follow COCOBOD’s announcement that Executive Management would take a 20% pay cut, while Senior Staff accepted a 10% reduction for the remainder of the 2025/26 crop year, citing liquidity challenges in the cocoa industry.
But Mr. Owusu reiterated that workers should not be made to pay for circumstances beyond their control.
“We call on COCOBOD and government authorities to ensure that workers are protected and that their rights under the union agreements are respected,” he added.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com