LOTTO RECEIVERS EMBARK ON STRIKE, DAILY GRAPHIC, SAT JULY 9, 2011 (CENTRE SPREAD)

Story: Della Russel Ocloo

LOTTO receivers have begun an indefinite nation-wide strike to protest against the reduction in commission paid to them by the National Lottery Authority (NLA).
The receivers say they are on strike because the NLA has failed to address concerns raised by the lotto receivers concerning the downward review of their commission from 25 to 20 per cent.
In addition to the strike, the receivers have also resolved to withdraw their trading activities capitals from the NLA’s business.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic Mr Daniel Mensah, the National Chairman of the lotto receivers union said their action had become necessary because the NLA had turned a deaf ear to several attempts to resolve the matter and reinstate the 25 per cent commission.
“We use our own money to purchase the booklets before selling to the public for commission, yet the NLA officials do not appreciate it”, he stated.
The NLA has said the reduction is sin accordance with plans to modernise the sector to increase revenue generation.
But Mr Mensah said the move was a disincentive as members of the union had been enjoying the 25 per cent commission for close to 25 years.
“What they are doing now will push people into the banker to banker trade”, he cautioned.
The Eastern Regional Chairman of the union, Madam Faustina Agyekum said the union had petitioned the leadership of Parliament and the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning to intervene in the matter as the development would not only affect repayment of loans they contracted and invested in the business but also throw them out of business.
She stated that following the petitions and a press conference held to register their protest, officials of the national security held a meeting with the leadership and gave the assurance that their concerns would be addressed.
She observed that the union had been a major mobiliser of the NLA’s substantial revenue and members had not relended in that effort, hence the need for government and other stakeholders to help address their concerns.
Similarly, she said the union would only reconsider its stands if the government intervened and restored the 25 per cent.