Mobile money agents to go on strike over E-Levy
The Mobile Money Agents Association of Ghana (MMAAG), has announced their intention to embark on an industrial strike action on Thursday December 23, 2021.
The Association said the action is to register their displeasure with the proposed E-Levy describing the levy as regressive and inimical to the survival of their business.
Adding that should their strike action fail to achieve the required results, the Association will embark n an indefinite strike.
“We see this levy as very regressive and critical to the survival of our businesses. Consequently, as part of our demonstration on Thursday 23 December 2021, our services as mobile money agents will not be accessible across the country.
“All agents will go on strike hence all outlets will remain closed,” read parts of the statement dated December 19, 2021.
E-Levy: Telcos to cut charges on MoMo transactions by 25%
Meanwhile, the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications has announced a 25 percent reduction in charges on mobile money transactions by the various telecommunication companies in the country.
The reduction in charges is amid the introduction of the E-Levy by government.
According to the Chamber, the decision was taken following extensive deliberations with government on the need to lessen the impact of the new tax on consumers.
“We acknowledge the need to expand the tax base. However, to reduce the overall impact of the new levy on consumers, MTN and AirtelTigo have agreed to a downward revision of their P2P (person to person transfer) fees by up to 25% depending on the respective operator. Vodafone currently has no charges,” said the Chamber in a press release.
Adding that, each mobile money operator would notify their customers of the applicable revised rate when the E-levy bill is passed into law.
The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, in the press statement, noted that the companies are ready to provide customers assistance during the implementation of the e-levy.
“We pledge our continued support to our customers and would continue to deliver innovative products and service that would ensure the convenience of the digital financial platforms and support the national digital transformation effort,” it read further.