The national fuel tanker drivers’ unions in the country have revealed that they will meet with the National Petroleum Authority and their service provider on August 8 to deliberate on matters concerning operations.
According to the unions, they called off their industrial action based on an agreement reached after a meeting with the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and the ministry of energy. This, they explained, followed government’s decision to lift the ban on the construction of LPG filling stations.
“The LPG Marketing Companies (LPGMC), Ghana LPG Operators Association (GLiPGOA) Gas Tanker Drivers Union (GTDU), Goil Tanker Drivers Union (GoTDU), Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union (GNPTDU), Bulk Tanker Drivers Union (BTDU) and allied bodies have agreed on this day 5th August, 2022, to end the strike action which commenced on 1st August 2022, until the 30th day of September, 2022, when all the issues will be resolved… A meeting is scheduled to take place on Monday 8th August, 2022, between the service provider, NPA and our associations.”
Tanker Drivers Union
Contained in a statement signed by the various tanker drivers’ unions in the country, it noted that together with the NPA, they have resolved to take immediate steps to resolve the “operational challenges with the Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS)”. The Tanker drivers further expressed gratitude to Ghanaians for their understanding.
Concerns raised by tanker drivers
Citing poor working conditions, the tanker drivers on August 1, 2022, expressed disappointment over unpaid salaries. They indicated that where salaries are being paid, the monies paid are meagre and “incommensurate with the workload of the ordinary” Tanker Driver.
“We have complained and taken industrial actions on many occasions in the search for redress. Unfortunately, on every occasion, we are given assurances and promises that our concerns will be addressed.”
Tanker Drivers Union
The assurances and promises, the drivers explained, are always either forgotten or ignored as soon as they call off their action. Additionally, the unions highlighted the unfair treatment of petroleum tanker drivers by Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited and the National Petroleum Authority.
With the introduction of seals and tracking devices on petroleum tankers, the tanker drivers stated that they are suffering from some unfair treatment by the authorities. These unfair treatments come in the form of wrong accusations of tampering with seals and punishing an entire group of drivers for the alleged offense of a Tanker Driver, a situation they reckon is “most unfair”.
The tanker drivers equally noted that the tracking system is being used to punish drivers and transporters. They indicated that every stop during transportation is viewed and characterized as diversion, which is to be followed by punitive sanctions.
“We therefore demand that this unjust and unfair treatment cease immediately.”
Tanker Drivers union
It will be recalled that the LPG Marketers Association which together went on strike with the tanker drivers called off its industrial action on August 4, 2022. The association revealed that it has become necessary to call off the strike following government’s decision to take into consideration its demand.
The association expressed optimism that the Ministry of Energy and the NPA will bring all the regulatory bodies on board to ensure to the smooth implementation of the directive from Cabinet.
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