Former Finance Minister, Seth Tekper, has advised government to engage the labour unions on the proposals it intends to present to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

He said the conditionalities that will be rolled out as part of the economic recovery programme, should also be made known to them.

He contended that this is the surest way both parties can reach an agreement on issues that affect the livelihoods of the members of organised labour.

“Government should be talking actively with labour. You need to engage labour, even though they are facing pressure,” he said.

As the country seeks a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) some members of organsied labour have cautioned government against the programme.

Director of Labour Research and Policy Institute at the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Dr. Kwabena Nyarko Otoo, fears the government’s decision to seek financial support from the IMF may not augur well for workers.

According to him, previous IMF interventions have not been able to sustainably address the country’s economic challenges, as such any move will only worsen the country’s growth.

“IMF programmes do not offer any lasting, durable solutions to the country’s problems. They will scratch on the edges of the problem. The fundamental problem of the country will remain after three/four years of implementation.

“IMF programme as we have always known them will impose needless hardships on Ghanaians and in the end deliver nothing substantial by way of improving our economic challenges,” he said.

Since news broke that President Akufo-Addo has directed the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta to engage the Fund, opinions are divided on the matter.

As some Ghanaians kick against the move, others believe assistance from the Fund is crucial to resuscitating the economy from the effects of COVID-19.

However, speaking on JoyNews’ The Probe, Dr. Otoo said the Fund is not a one-stop shop for all the economic problems of the country.

Describing the decsion to seek help from the IMF as unfortunate, the Dr. Otoo opined that a homegrown alternative will be more prudent to revamp the ailing economy.

“We do not think that the IMF offers us the solutions to the myriad of problems that we face in this country. We have been there 16 times so going there again is like doing the same things and expecting different results. We think that, that shouldn’t be the route we should take.

“For us it is unfortunate and it is a tragic mistake on the part of government to unilaterally decide to engage the IMF,” he said on Sunday.

Meanwhile, four teacher unions have declared an indefinite nationwide strike – effective Monday, July 4 – over demands for the payment of the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA).

The unions, comprising the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers Ghana (CCT), are demanding that the 20% of their basic salary be paid to them.