Create decent jobs for the people - TUC tells Government

Cape Coast, April 15, GNA - The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has called on the Government of Ghana to take the necessary steps to create decent jobs for the people, particularly the youth. It noted that democratic governance could not be sustained when large sections of the population suffered from poverty with escalated unemployment rates.

According to the Union, if democracy failed to deliver decent work and ensure improved standards of living, the people could easily loose confidence in the country's political system.

Mr Kofi Asamoah, Secretary General of the TUC, made the call on Thursday during the District Council of Labour meeting in Cape Coast, saying the TUC was yet to see concrete signs by Government to address the huge unemployment rate in the country.

Mr Asamoah said decent work hinged on four main pillars; job creation, protecting the rights of workers, social dialogue and social protection.

He pointed out that it was only when workers were paid well that productivity would be maximized and called on employers to invest in training their workers and also pay them well. He said firms that used reasonable proportion of their profits in paying their workers above the market rate were able to reduce worker turnover, increased productivity and were more competitive than those who held on to their profits and suffered productivity losses. Mr Asamoah noted that even though the labour Act allowed for freedom of association and the rights to collective bargaining, some employers in Ghana had resorted to several undemocratic tactics to frustrate workers from freely joining trade unions, let alone create congenial atmosphere for collective bargaining negotiations. He warned that the unwillingness of employers to negotiate in good faith as required under section 97(1) of the labour Act posed a serious threat to the attainment of decent work.

Mr Asamoah said it was important that occupational safety, health and the environment were given the maximum attention by employers so that workers could live healthy lives during and after their working years.

He used the occasion to urge all workers to turn out in their numbers to celebrate this year's May Day which falls on Sunday, May 1,to be observed under the theme; 93Decent Work for Sustainable Economic Development".