Minority reminds government of promises to organised labour

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has sent a congratulatory message to all the working people of Ghana on the occasion of May Day, which falls today.

A statement issued to the press by a former Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, said:  “We say ‘ayekoo’ to all workers as the country observes Labour Day — the celebration of sacrifices made by Labour and their contribution to the development of the country.”

Mr Iddrisu, who is also the Minority Leader, said many would recall that “the International Labour Day on May 1st is celebrated internationally to commemorate workers sacrifices and contributions towards national development.”

He said the Minority would want to use the  opportunity to call on the government, President Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to honour the promises made to organised labour in the run-up to the 2016 elections and to entreat the new administration to uphold and respect workers rights, equal pay, as well as  equal opportunities.

Proceed on leave

According to Mr Iddrisu, the Minority is unhappy with the emerging phenomenon of “proceed on leave and the new directive to workers to pack and leave their offices by 5 p.m. on the same day.”

He said the Minority considered the directives as unacceptable, especially because the workers did not share the political belief of the current government.

“As we solidarise with workers, we will urge organised labour to stand up for the respect of workers rights by the political elite,” he added.

Mr Iddrisu said the NDC administration took far-reaching decisions on a number of matters for the promotion of workers interest and their welfare and that there were outstanding issues that needed the new government’s urgent consideration and attention.

He mentioned the International Labour Organisation’s Maternal Protection Convention, the Marrakesh Treaty for the Blind and the Domestic Workers Regulation which require urgent attention.

 Mr Iddrisu also mentioned the implementation of the codified conditions of service for health workers, particularly the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), the condition of service for the Judicial Service, the conditions of service for Civil and Local Government Workers whose implementation he said was compelling.

Casualisation of workers

On the casualisation of workers for longer periods, Mr Iddisu said organised labour’s contribution to the country’s maturing democracy was phenomenal and urged the government to address the issue to give such workers a fair deal.

The Minority leader commended the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for the theme: Mobolizing for Ghana’s future to the creation of decent jobs “ and added that addressing unemployment remains an imminent threat to securing the country’s future.

He challenged the new administration to address the growing unemployment with a better management of the faultering economy adding that the creation of decent jobs and the protection of workers rights is the best way to make labour day meaningful.