Construction Union asks Ghana@50 Secretariat to seek technical advice

Accra, Dec. 29, GNA- The Construction and Builders Materials Workers' Union of the Trade Union Congress (CBMWU) have cautioned officials of Ghana@50 Secretariat, not to pursue the execution of projects without professional advice, in order to avoid structural defects that may lead to disaster.

The Union, which gave the caution on Friday, said in view of the limited time for the execution of the projects to facilitate the Golden Jubilee celebration of Ghana's Independence on March 6, 2007, there was the need to avoid hasty works that may cost lives.

Mr Pious Quainoo, General Secretary of the CBMWU, who gave the advice while addressing a workshop for members of staff of the Union in Accra, said the celebration should be used to showcase the country as having matured in construction practices n consonance with international standards.

He thereforlge called on the government to initiate investigations into reasons why some public buildings collapse soon after construction, adding that the anomaly is detrimental to the interest of the nation and the tax payer in general.

Mr Quainoo also called on government to oust employers in the construction industry who cunningly adopts measures to evade tax, exploit workers through low wage and use casual labour system to avoid payment of social security through permanent employment.

Mr said unregulated, unprotected, insecure and indecent practices which did not guarantee the health and safety conditions at construction sites must be reversed.

He said the practice whereby employers did what they pleased with the fate of workers, irrespective of the Labour law was "at variance with the United Nation's Declaration of Human Rights".

Mr Quainoo asked workers who do not belong to trade unions to join to enable them assert their rights.

He said employers should associate themselves with various Employers Associations so that they would be abreast with basic employment standards.

"The conditions under which construction workers were treated right in the capital and major urban cities under full glare of public authorities on major public projects are worrisome."

He called on the Government, Parliament, the Media, development partners, and civil society organisations to join hands with CBMWU to improve the lot of casual workers in the country.