The Staff of the Metro Mass Transport Limited (MMTL) will from today, Friday, July 3, 2020, embark on a sit-down strike in efforts to prompt authority’s attention over issues of unpaid salaries.

According to them, they have not been paid salaries for May and June 2020 after taking half salaries for April.

In a statement from the Senior and Junior Staff Union at MMTL, their strike will be in force until further notice.

“Given the foregoing, the workers through the leadership of the Unions will be embarking on a peaceful sit-down action from Friday, July 3, 2020, until further notice if no attempt is made to pay workers’ salaries.”

In solidifying their decision taken on the strike, the transport company said:

“It is instructive to note that the directives from the Sector-Ministry which are intended to regulate the operations of all commercial transport service providers in the country have affected MMTL so much in the area of revenue generation, and this has gone a long way to affect the salaries of staff and their welfare.”

Lamenting the drop in revenue due to the new protocols guiding the number of passengers to be on a bus, as part of measures to control the spread of the coronavirus, MMTL says this has also to a large extent, affected revenue generation, hence, causing a negative impact on their standards of living.

The situation, they say, has “befallen the company” and “needs the intervention of the Central Government”.

“While deeply regretting the delay and nonpayment of staff salaries, workers hope that management would restore our salary payment cycle. It is also hoped that Management would take note and act accordingly to obtain the government’s support to alleviate workers of this company from these hardships,” the staff of the company added in the statement.

The union has however added that it will ensure their proposed action, themed “No Pay, No Work” is intended to be peaceful and nonviolent.

“All members are therefore enjoined to ensure that they appreciate the directives given to them by the leadership of the unions for a peaceful and harmonious action.”

What the situation will have on the economy

The outbreak of the coronavirus in Ghana has caused a break in economic activities in Ghana, causing some businesses to fold as well as job losses.

In the case of the Metro Mass Transport Limited (MMTL), their strike action will affect passengers who use the services from one point to their destinations. Already, the coronavirus, which has resulted in the closure of borders, has affected revenue from import and export activities.

Also, individuals who rely on the services of the MMTL for specific reasons will be optionless than resorting to other means of transportation.