GTMC to reopen on July 11

The Ghana Textiles Manufacturing Company (GTMC) which was closed in November last year has reopened, according to a joint a communiqu? issued by the joint negotiating team to resolve the long-running industrial action at the Tema-based factory.

It said, however, that only the Printing Department and some workers of the support service would start work.

The communiqu? was issued during the presentation of report by a Special Tripartite Committee set up on the industrial dispute between management and workers of Ghana Textile Manufacturing Company (GTMC).

After several joint interventions by the Ministry and the Ghana Employers' Association, the Trades Union Congress, Ghana Federation of Labour, Management of GTMC and workers' representatives, a special Tripartite Committee was set up to work out modalities for the re-opening of the factory.

The communiqu? urged management to consider re-engaging staff from the ranks of the redundant workers whenever they decide to re-open the weaving and spinning departments.

The communiqu? said in part that a severance package and payment terms have been agreed for the 699 workers who would be declared redundant.

All parties would sign a Memorandum of Understanding detailing the mode of payment.

Mrs Cecilia Bannerman, Minister of Employment and Manpower Development, Mr Napoleon D. K. Kpoh, General Secretary of ICU acting on behalf of Workers of GTMC, Mr Ebenezer Aidoo, Administrative Secretary of TEGLU and the Management of GTMC jointly signed the Communiqu?.

GTMC was closed down on November 28, 2000 following an industrial action by the workers.

Mrs Bannerman said protracted industrial disputes negatively affect the economy and its competitiveness in attracting both local and foreign investors.

She said: "Industrial disputes affect the nation in terms of loss of tax revenue, traders who depend on the industry for their livelihood and the workers and their families who are caught up in the middle of the dispute."

Mrs Bannerman, however, commended employers and union members whose attitude towards the promotion of industrial peace has generally improved through the adoption of dialogue instead of confrontation.

She urged all parties to sustain the new image and industrial understanding prevailing now for nation building and the attainment of the government's aim of building the Golden Age of Business.

She assured the workers that the ministry would continue to seek and maintain objectivity in the national interest.

Mrs Bannerman expressed reservations about the conduct of Mr Abraham Koomson, General Secretary of TEGLEU, who issued a series of statements attacking the status of the negotiating committee.

She said: "It is lamentable that even though Mr Koomson had apologized to the committee and had originally undertaken to retract the statement, further statements were made subsequently which could have led to the collapse of the negotiations."

She advised all stakeholders in the industrial sector to bear in mind that whatever interest they may have in their respective organisations, in the final analysis their actions affect the economy.