We will recognise union with workers' support INDO Management

Tema, Sept 22, GNA - The Management of INDO Ghana Enamel Industrial Limited (IGE) in Tema, on Tuesday made it clear that it would give due recognition to any union at the company with workers' fullest support. It further stated that it would enter into negotiations with only a majority union, and one that had the mandate and recognition of the Ministry of Manpower Development and Employment.

Management declared its stance in an exclusive interview with the Ghana News Agency at the company's premises in Tema in reaction to allegations levelled against it by the Tema branch of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU), and published by a section of the media. Management reiterated that it respected the labour law, and was therefore not against unionisation of workers, but restated that it would not recognise unions that did not have workers' support. Management dismissed the allegations made against it by the ICU as mere fabrication meant to bring the company's image into disrepute. Management stated that it was not true that it unlawfully designed a plan, as alleged by the ICU, to compel its employees who belong to ICU to join the General Metals and Metal Fabrications Union 9GEMM) of Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL).

Management further debunked ICU's claim that it got itself actively involved in the company's unionisation process, and ensured that the union with the minority membership was issued with the Collective Bargaining Certificate by the Ministry.

It also dismissed, as untrue, the assertion by ICU that it collaborated with the Labour Department to delay the company's verification exercise.

Management showed GNA a copy of a letter addressed to the General Manager from the Ministry dated Wednesday, September 15 and signed by the Acting Chief Labour Officer referred to a directive issued by the Deputy Minister in-charge of Employment, stating that since the Collective Bargaining Certificate (CBC) had already been issued, opportunity should be given to management and the GEMM of GFL to utilise the certificate until the next CBC or agreement was due for renewal. The Acting Chief Labour Officer, therefore, made it emphatically clear that "the request of ICU of TUC for the conduct of verification exercise is therefore unnecessary at this stage."

Touching on ICU's allegation about what it called "management's high handedness and victimisation galore," resulting in the dismissal of two executive members of the ICU local union at the company, management stated that the two union executives were reprimanded for misconduct.