The Trades Union Congress (TUC) and 35 workers unions have debunked claims that they have called off their planned industrial action fixed for February 13.

The denial follows speculations that the strike has been called off after a meeting with the government.

According to the Deputy Secretary-General of the TUC, Joshua Ansah, they have neither met any government official nor received any official communication from government addressing the demand for the total withdrawal of the Value Added Tax imposed on domestic electricity consumption.

Speaking on The Pulse on JoyNews on February 5, he said, “We have not received any official communication from the government, any minister, or anybody. So that is what we are waiting for.

“If we get an official from the government, as I speak to you now, we will organise an emergency meeting to stop the nationwide strike on the 13th [February]. Anything short of that, we are preparing seriously toward the demonstration on the 13th.”

Meanwhile, JoyNews checks at the offices of labour unions showed red flags hoisted while workers wore red.

The Deputy Secretary General stressed that their demand was simple: for the government to withdraw the 15 per cent Value Added Tax on electricity and until that is done, they will not relent in their industrial action.

“We are calling for the total withdrawal and not partial withdrawal. We are calling for total withdrawal, unconditionally.

"In our statement, we said that if the government withdraws today, organised labour is prepared to stop its intention of a nationwide demonstration,” he added.

He stressed that it was important they register their protest to the government because their salaries were barely enough to pay for their transportation to and from work.

Mr Ansah added that they would be clad in red all through the week and if nothing happens, they will follow up with the nationwide demonstration on February 13.