Workers "Blast" Manpower Ministry

The Tema District Council of Labour (TDCL) has expressed dismay at the Ministry of Manpower Development and Employment's "appalling and lackadaisical dealings" with sensitive labour issues in the country.

''It is important to point out that, it is only your ministry, which does not acknowledge receipts of the council's letters or invite its executives for discussions when pertinent issues are raised," the workers said.

The workers noted the ministry is one of the complex and sensitive ministries in the country, since it has to deal with multiple and delicate issues involving government, employers and labour, but regretted that the Ministry has not lived up to expectation. The workers therefore called for a proactive approach on the part of the ministry in addressing sensitive and delicate matters as and when they are brought to its attention.

A resolution signed by Wilson Agana, Chairman and Mohammed Baba Tairo, Secretary of the TDCL referred particularly to the inter union conflict at GTMC and the victimisation of workers, saying the ministry's approach to the issue had the tendency to create havoc in the industrial sector.

''If GTMC management and its accomplices do not see the need to abide by the President's special task force and principles and guidelines on how ICU and TEGLUE could jointly relate with management, then there should be something seriously wrong somewhere and must be checked by your ministry with speed and dispatch to avoid the application of other alternatives to achieve instant results," the resolution said.

The Union gave the ministry "the last chance" to cause the immediate and unconditional reinstatement of workers whose appointments had been terminated at the GTMC. "The council may act swiftly and decisively on the matter without notice to your outfit should you again take us for granted," the resolution warned.

The workers embarked on a three-hour demonstration through the principal streets of Tema to demand the immediate announcement of a new minimum wage. All efforts made by officials in government and employers to stop the workers from going on the demonstration did not materialise.