Ghana and Nigeria trade union forge unity

Ghana and Nigeria trade unions in the construction industry have decided to jointly adopt a strategy to develop the skills of their members for increased productivity and also pursue their rights.

Mr Pius Kweku Quainoo, General Secretary of Construction Building Materials Workers Union, of the Trades Union Congress, said since the survival of members largely depends on the sustainable mainstay of their institutions, there is the need to find ways to make their jobs survive.

Mr Quainoo, who was speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra, said the decision was taken with the National Union of Construction and Civil Engineering, Furniture and Woodworkers of Nigeria.

He said at the just ended conference organised by Nigerians at Ibadan, the participants appealed to African Governments to solicit trade union’s inputs when formulating laws on employment or issues affecting the general well being of workers.

Mr Quainoo called for laws decriminalizing trade union activities and also urged national unions to be innovative by investing in commercial ventures and hiring professionals to facilitate progress.

Turning on the conference, he said the delegates commended the Nigerian government efforts of combating crime and reducing insecurity in some parts of the country.

They also called on the government to address the rising unemployment in the country, and should bring to order employers who fail to provide safety measures for their employees.