Ayekoo, to all workers
Today is Workers Day of Solidarity, a day set aside to commemorate the international labour movement.
May 1 is a national holiday in more than 80 countries and the holiday is celebrated unofficially in many other countries.
In the 19th century, workers in different parts of the world fought for the right to work not more than eight hours a day. At that time many workers were working 11 hours or more each day.
Thus May Day marked the occasion for a protest in favour of a shorter working day.
Before workers were granted their right, working conditions were very severe and unsafe. Death and injury were commonplace at many workplaces.
The labour movement has come a long way since those days of the struggle to shorten the workday to the present times when workers are regarded as partners in the productive endeavours at any workplace.
Not too long ago, workers and their management were regularly at each other’s throat, particularly during negotiation for new collective agreements.
While the workers regarded their employers, represented by management, as a group of self-seekers never willing to give them their due, management regarded workers, particularly their leaders, as parasites who wanted to reap where they had not sown.
It is unfortunate that despite the strides made in building a better rapport between labour and management, Ghana’s industrial scene has been turbulent over the past few years, especially since the implementation of the Single Spine Pay Policy (SSPP).
Today’s May Day is being observed against the backdrop of labour agitation for improved reward for the services workers render to employers.
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has bemoaned the structural defects in the economy, making it difficult for the government to carry out policies to stimulate the economy for growth that inure to the benefit of ordinary working people in the factories, on the farms and at the markets.
This may have informed the labour movement in the country to settle on the theme, “Ghana’s Economy - A concern for all”, to provide the platform for all to determine the solutions to the challenges facing the economy.
There is no doubt that the economy is challenged, making it difficult for the government to fix the problems to close the development gaps.
The Daily Graphic appeals to the social partners in the productive endeavour, namely the government, employers and organised labour, to explore new frontiers of collaboration in order to restore harmony to the labour front.
The Daily Graphic wishes all working people a memorable celebration, in the hope that the ensuing year will bring more collaboration between labour and employers, including the government.
We wish all gallant workers Ayekoo!
