Railway Workers threaten strike over 12 months of unpaid salaries

The Railway Workers Union of Ghana has announced plans for a strike and picketing on September 30, 2025, if the Ghana Railway Company Limited fails to pay 12 months of salary arrears dating back to October 2024.

In a formal notice to the Greater Accra Regional Police Commander dated September 15, 2025, the union said members are facing extreme hardship due to the prolonged delays. The letter, sighted by GraphicOnline, described the situation as causing “severe financial distress, family breakdowns, health crises including strokes, disruption to children’s education, and general frustration among workers.”

Union leaders said multiple engagements with the Ministry of Transport and other relevant authorities have produced no results, accusing stakeholders of failing to initiate negotiation, mediation, or arbitration processes as provided under Section 161 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651).

“The current state of affairs has created uncertainty for both the company and its employees,” the union lamented.

The notice was copied to the National Labour Commission, Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment, Ghana Railway Development Authority, Trades Union Congress, and Parliament’s Select Committee on Transport. The union warned that if no concrete action is taken by September 22, 2025, it will invoke Sections 160 and 171 of the Labour Act to enforce its rights.

Workers from Tema, Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, and Tarkwa are expected to join the protest. Planned activities include picketing at the Ministry of Transport, submitting a petition to Parliament, visiting the Ghana Railway Development Authority, and concluding at the Trades Union Congress headquarters.

The union assured that the exercise will be peaceful and requested police support to ensure security.

This latest threat of industrial action comes just months after railway workers went on an indefinite strike in May 2025 over seven months of unpaid wages, which disrupted passenger rail services nationwide. Although that strike was suspended following government intervention, the union says its key concerns remain unresolved.

Source: Adomonline

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