National service personnel have started a strike action today, Monday, May 30, 2022, over unpaid allowances.
Despite agitations and complaints, the aggrieved service personnel say members have not been paid for over five months.
President of the aggrieved personnel, Wechea Selassie, noted that members are going through extreme economic hardship.
Speaking on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm, he stated they had complained to the secretariat, but their concerns have not been addressed.
”They have not paid attention to our plight. We have done all the diplomatic things we need to do. We have no option but to strike over the unpaid allowances. We are also planning to hit the street and demonstrate,” he said.
Wechea Selassie described the situation as scary as several of them are struggling to survive.
He said the amount them is not even enough and yet, they are deprived of it.
”How do we become patriotic when the National Service is depriving us of our allowances,” he quizzed.
He has also suggested for the allowance to be increased to Ghc700 arguing that the prevailing economic situation has worsened their plight.
He lamented that the issue of rent for personnel who are posted to other regions, especially Accra, is a challenge considering the cost.
To him, he spent 3,600 to rent an apartment for two years.
”If you are doing your national service, the gross monthly pay for the one year is around 6,000 and if you are going to the 3,600 from it and use it as rent, transportation and food, it means, we are doing free work”.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
