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Labour Department staff 'clash' with employment minister over alleged takeover of new head office

The new Labour Department building

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 Source: www.ghanaweb.com

The staff of the Labour Department have expressed their outrage over an alleged plan by the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, to relocate the ministry to their newly redeveloped head office for the Labour Department in Accra.

At a press conference held on September 9, 2024, concerned staff members called on the minister to reverse his decision, arguing that the move undermines the institution’s legacy, violates the purpose of the redevelopment, and jeopardizes their ability to serve Ghanaian workers.

The Labour Department, which has been a key pillar of labour administration in Ghana for over six decades, emphasized that its headquarters was designed with funding from the World Bank’s Ghana Jobs and Skills Project (GJSP) specifically for their operations.

The redevelopment, which was part of the World Bank’s efforts to support skills development and job creation, includes features such as disability access, energy-efficient systems, and modern facilities to enhance the department’s work.

Speaking on behalf of the labour union Amadu Hussein a CLOGSAG representative on the department explained that the original Labour Department headquarters was constructed in 1942 when the department moved from Kumasi to Accra.

According to him, over the years, the building deteriorated, posing safety risks and no longer serving its purpose.

He further stated that the redevelopment project aimed to create a state-of-the-art, four-storey complex that would reflect the national importance of the Labour Department and its role in promoting fair labour practices.

However, the minister’s intention to relocate the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations into the redeveloped Labour Department building directly contradicts the objectives of the GJSP.

The project they said was intended for the redevelopment of the Labour Department’s headquarters, not for the ministry.

“The minister’s actions threaten to repurpose this facility for uses that are inconsistent with its intended purpose, undermining the very goals of the GJSP,” Amadu said in his statement to the press.

The redeveloped building includes facilities designed to house the Ghana Labour Market Information System, a critical tool for the Labour Department’s operations.

Staff fear that relocating the ministry into the building will impair their ability to manage this system, which plays a vital role in Ghana’s labour market administration.

The staff has petitioned the World Bank, key stakeholders, and civil society organizations to intervene and support their cause.

They urged Ghanaians, trade unions, and development partners to stand with them in their fight to retain their headquarters.

“This building was funded to support the Labour Department. It belongs to the working people of Ghana, the market women, fishermen, carpenters, drivers, teachers, doctors, nurses, and all those who rely on fair labour practices for their livelihoods.”

They called on the minister to rescind his decision and allow the Labour Department to continue its mission of protecting the rights of workers in Ghana.

“We will continue to defend the rights of Ghanaian workers and uphold the principles of justice and decent work,” Robert Eward Ntow a staff member of the Labour Department added.

The Ghana Jobs and Skills Project (GJSP), funded by the World Bank in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, aims to support skills development and job creation across the country. As part of the project, the Labour Department’s head office was redeveloped to enhance its operations and provide better services to the public.