Need to address concerns about wages stressed

Accra, Nov. 25 GNA - Mr Yaw Barimah, Minister of Manpower Development and Employment, on Tuesday said it was necessary for the Government to critically address concerns about wages and salaries, which had sparked off series of industrial strikes in the country.

He noted that a number of companies had been closed down or partially functioning as a result of poor management - labour relations.

Mr Barimah was speaking when a delegation from the Institute of Human Resource Management called on him at his office in Accra to inform him about the forthcoming human resource week celebrations, which is set aside annually to highlight human resource issues in the country.

The Minister noted that the proper management of issues concerning labour would speed up the growth of the economy adding, "labour issues, which has been taken lightly in the past years must now be given prompt attention".

He said when issues bothering on labour were dealt with adequately by providing them with the appropriate wage it would increase productivity, eradicate poverty and attract investors into the country.

"In the process of putting wages and salaries in the right perspective, it must be tackled dispassionately by fixing levels of remuneration that could be sustainable," he said.

Mr Austin Gamey, President of the Institute of Human Resource Management, noted that neglect of human resource management had affected the country resulting in low productivity.

He said there was the need for government to take a second look at human resource management and training to ensure that professionals were equipped with the right skills to effectively deliver for the development of the nation.

Mr Gamey said the Institute, has as part of its objectives, to create a conducive atmosphere for human resource to derive the best out of such personnel.

He called for collaboration between the Ministry and the Institute to develop quality human resource management to serve the manpower needs of the country.