By The Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union has initiated an indefinite sit-down strike, demanding improved conditions of service.
The drivers assert that a policy framework designed to enhance their salaries and other working conditions has been under review by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) board since November 2023. Despite multiple attempts to secure approval, the drivers claim that the NPA board has consistently declined to vote on the framework for implementation.
Sunday Alabi, the Vice President of the Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union, said that a petition requesting approval for the policy framework was submitted to the Presidency, but they are yet to receive a response.
He stated that they will persist with the strike until the framework receives approval.
“We wrote a petition to the Presidency last week to have the framework approved but we have not heard anything yet and that is why we are embarking on the sit-down strike because the livelihood of our drivers is so bad.
“Just like the saying goes, ‘electricity no get leg, ebe copper wire wey dey carry am go,’ the petroleum downstream sector does not have leg, it is the tanker drivers that carry it and so we cannot be suffering and the rest will be enjoying and so long as they resist to approve the framework, we will not resume work.”
