Mumuni fights to keep ideas in Labour Bill

Accra, July 23,GNA- Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, Member for Kunbumgu, on Wednesday withstood the might of the Majority to keep the Labour Commission proposed under the Labour bill insulated from direct governmental influence.

He had proposed an amendment to keep the Commission solely under the direction of the constitution.

The Member, who was the Minister of Employment and Social Welfare under the previous administration, had made his intentions known during the second reading when he described the clauses holding the "Commission" as weak and the original idea watered down.

The Member, who is now literally rewriting the Labour Bill, said there was the need to create safety nets for the Commission for it to promote unbiased industrial peace and harmony in the country. "I am coming from an experience where Labour always believed that government wore a jersey and blew the whistle at the same time in these matters."

He said dispute resolution would only be deemed fair if those in-charge are insulated from political powers, adding that, "when government goes to the table as a party, faith and trust would be restored "

The member said the Commission would still be subjected to the supervisory role of the Judiciary, which means that an appeal can be made against its ruling.

Some members had argued that Alhaji Mumuni's amendment had the potential to "tie the hands" of government during labour negotiations. The Labour Commission would, among others seek to promote industrial peace and harmony through arbitration and other strategies.