Railway Workers Threaten Strike Over Seven-Month Unpaid Salaries
By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi
Operations of the Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL) are under threat as members of the Railway Workers Union have issued a firm ultimatum: pay outstanding salaries or face a total shutdown starting today, Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
The union says more than 900 workers have not received their salaries for the past seven months, pushing many into severe financial hardship. The workers accuse management and relevant authorities of failing to provide clear explanations or timelines for payment, despite repeated appeals. In a media interview, Franklin Cobbinah, Branch Secretary of the Accra Division of the union, described the situation as intolerable and warned that worker patience has reached its limit.
“For the past seven months, we have not been paid. Anytime you ask, nobody is willing to volunteer information,” Cobbinah said. “We have tried to calm the workers down. Now, we can’t control them anymore. So, as workers, we are demanding our seven months’ salary from our management.”
The union claims the financial difficulties facing GRCL have deepened following the change in government earlier this year, with no concrete steps taken to address operational or fiscal constraints. Workers argue that continued silence from management is unacceptable and reflects a deeper disregard for their welfare.
The threatened industrial action, if carried out, would severely disrupt commuter services between Tema and Accra—routes heavily relied on by thousands of passengers daily. Union leaders are calling on the Ministry of Railway Development and the Ministry of Finance to urgently intervene and ensure the immediate release of funds to clear the salary arrears and prevent further escalation. As of press time, GRCL management had not responded publicly to the strike notice or salary concerns.
