The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has received with earthshattering shock news of the dismissal of scores of workers of TV3 Network for allegedly threatening “the congenial atmosphere” there.The dismissals follow stalled negotiations on End of Service Benefits (ESB) for staff.

According to TV3 management, the workers had worn red attire to work to signal their frustration over the ESB issue but management found that offensive and fired them. The GJA views the explanation for the dismissal lame, capricious and highly unacceptable and demands the immediate recall of the dismissed staff for negotiations to resume.

To demonstrate their grave concern about the issue, the GJA President, Affail Monney, and General Secretary, Dave Agbenu, today met management of TV3 led by the Marketing Director, Efo Dzakpasu who said he could not say anything beyond the statement issued by management. He even demanded a formal letter from the GJA before any discussion could take place.

If Mr. Dzakpasu’s posture reflected the stand of management then pressure from all fronts needs to be exerted on TV3 Network to humanize and reverse their decision to summarily dismiss the workers.

TV3 in its statement prides itself on being the leading TV station in Ghana. If this is true, then management must bear in mind that the company rode on the back of the workers to attain that height. The workers therefore, deserve to be treated with utmost respect and sensitivity and not, the high handedness which has regrettably characterized industrial relations in TV3.

The GJA pledges to promptly rally to the defense of all media workers who are unjustiably treated by management. As a long term solution to the mistreatment and poor conditions of media workers, GJA is expected to receive its bargaining certificate from the TUC after its General Council Meeting in June, 2017.

It is in the light of this that the GJA is convinced that the rights of the workers have been trampled upon and unequivocally calls for their immediate reinstatement. Else it shall be compelled to invoke Article 23 of the 1992 constitution which enjoins administrative bodies and officials to act fairly and reasonably and comply with the requirements imposed on them by law.

 
                                       
SIGNED
Affail Monney

1st March, 2017