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Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr., has blamed the woes of Trade Union Congress (TUC) on the Economic Recovery Program introduced by the Provisional National Defense Council (PNDC) Regime headed by then Flight Lieutenant (Flt. Lt.) Jerry John Rawlings. 

According to him, the genesis of TUC’s woes began when PNDC Regime introduced neo-literal agenda which undermined workers rights and worsened the conditions of Ghanaian workers in its attempt to find solutions to the Ghanaian economy.

“The pursuit of the neo-liberal agenda has to a very large extent undermined workers’ rights, worsen the conditions of our workers…all of this has a genesis in 1982 when the discussions about the future of the Ghanaian economy started. Eventually by 1983 when we then embarked on what we then called the economy recovery program, the stage has been set for the Ghanaian workers’ rights to be trampled upon”, he recounted.

Commenting on the current state of the trade union group vis-a-vis the recently held May Day celebrations on Radio Gold's "Alhaji and Alhaji" programme, the seasoned journalist claimed the economic recovery program launched in 1983 had the agenda of privatizing state enterprises; with more than 400 state enterprises being sold off to foreigners, leaving in its wake massive job loses.

“The few that I can mention, I can mention the Black Star Line and how it completely collapsed, Tema Ship Yard and Drydock which was sold to a Malaysian company, which was so run down that the Mills administration had to take steps in order to retake the possession of the company. As we speak, I don’t know what the fate of Tema Ship Yard and Drydock is; I can mention Ghana Airways which has been collapsed and the only relic which reminds us of Ghana Airways now is a restaurant; it is a chop bar, that the DC 10 PLANE OF GHANA AIRWAYS has been turned into now at the so-called international airport”, he named but a few.

He further revealed that the massive privatization of these state enterprises by PNDC led to a sabotage of the income substitution policy by the government of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

“…that this country has become heavily import dependent with our local industries unable to compete, is partly the result of the privatization of state enterprises which was pursued with vigor in 1983 by the PNDC...there are many aspects of the economic recovery program I need not go into all of that but clearly in the period of 3 years after the program has been launched, more than 400,000 workers lost their jobs,” he disclosed.