The Deputy Secretary General of the Ghana Federation of Labour, Kenneth Koomson, has asked government to expedite plans to provide a stimulus package to support ailing companies due to the COVID-19 spread.

The rise in the number of confirmed cases in Ghana over the last fifteen days is 137. This has led to a number of interventions to restrict movements. It has also forced some companies to lay off some casual workers, while others are contemplating a complete shutdown.

As the welfare of employees is greatly at risk in these trying times, the Deputy General Secretary of the Federation, Kenneth Koomson, told Citi Business News government’s response must not delay any further.

“We’ve had calls from several companies who are threatening to shut down and lay off some of their workers. Some of them have also decided to ask their workers to go home without pay. Others have asked them to go home as that leave will be deducted from their statutory leave,” he said.

He says any further delay in the decision to lock down the country may lead to a total collapse of the affected companies.

“We believe that if there is any moment for which we have to take any drastic measures to lock down whether regionally or nationally, this is the moment that it has to be done. In our view we think that it is important to lockdown to deal with the disease whereas we look for measures to address the economic issues. The GFL is of the view that at this particular moment having recorded 137 cases, there couldn’t be any better time than now to lockdown,” he added.

Currently, Ghana has confirmed 137 cases, four deaths and two recoveries.

Health authorities say contact tracing has been initiated for the new cases. The new patients have since been isolated and are receiving treatment.

Government to take decision on lockdown

However, the Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, says the government is “very near” to the point of taking a decision on whether or not to declare a lockdown or any form of restrictions on movement in the country.

“We are very near a decision point, and I am very sure that once that one is concluded, we will now have clarity on the path we are going,” he said.

He said the government is being meticulous with the process and looking at various options in the face of available data to determine which one will be in the best interest of the country.

Source: Citinewsroom.com