Government business in the Ashanti region is likely to grind to a halt from Wednesday if civil servants in the region carry through a planned industrial action.

The Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) intends to embark on a sit down strike to register members ‘displeasure and disappointment’ in the payment of market premium.

The group has subsequently directed members in the various government departments and agencies in the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies to lay down their tools if government does not respond to their grievance by September 5, 2012.

The group accuses the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) of intentionally delaying the payment of premium to members.

“We can no longer compete with our colleagues who are enjoying Premium payment which is enhancing their standard of living”, said a statement issued by the Association.

Regional Secretary, Daniel Brobbey told Luv Fm members are unhappy with disparities in the implementation of the single spine pay policy.

“It appears that government is not serious with CLOGSAG”, he claimed. “Until we’re also given premium payment, our condition will never be okay, so we’re telling government that the agreement had with Hon. E.T. Mensah [then sector minister], who agreed we deserve to be paid premium, should be implemented as early as possible”.

The Northern regional branch of CLOGSAG had earlier prevailed on the leadership of the Association to activate an intended nationwide strike which was put on hold following the demise of late President Atta Mills.

Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh