Employers Association fights for workers safety

The Ghana Employers’ Association has called on the government to expedite action on the passage of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Bill into law.

According to the association, the draft bill, which is currently with the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, when passed into law, would help protect the health and safety of the Ghanaian worker.

The regulation would create a comprehensive national framework for effective coordination and harmonization of occupational safety and health issues in the country to enhance the wellbeing of workers.

Charles Asante-Bempong, Director of Research Projects, Ghana Employers Association (GEA), who was speaking on a TV programme dubbed, ‘Business Advocate’ organized by BUSAC Fund, said that the OHS Bill, which was sent to parliament for consideration and subsequent passage into law, had delayed unduly.

“The policy is still in a draft form. We started the billing process as far back in 2001. We hope that the bill would be sent to parliament before the end of this year for consideration,” he said.

Mr. Asante-Bempong said the Bill when passed, would protect victims who suffer occupational accidents, injuries, fatalities, as well as their dependents.

Daniel Owusu Bortey, a Senior Official of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), in his remarks, said studies conducted by the Union showed that workers, employers and government do not take issues of OSH seriously.

“Workers are interested first and foremost in looking for wages and salaries. This is where their interest is. Then, they look at what we call service condition. What will make a worker have a secure job is when the workplace is hazardous free, risk-free and injury free as well,” he said.

Ratify ILO Convention

Mr. Owusu Bortey called on the Members of Parliament (MP) to, as a matter of urgency, ratify the ILO convention 155 to give legal backing to the OSH bill that would be passed into law.

Ghana is a signatory to several International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions and protocols that seek to encourage member countries to develop a holistic and integrated approach to the fundamental issue of OSH and for the promotion and creation of a preventative safety and health culture.

But the country is yet to ratify the ILO Convention 155 on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH).