Labour Minister Assures TUC of Commitment to Harmonious Labour Front
The Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Hon. Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum, has assured organised labour of the government’s commitment to deepening collaboration with the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to promote industrial harmony and build a fair and productive labour environment for workers and employers.
The Minister gave the assurance when he paid a working visit to the TUC in Accra to engage its leadership and members to strengthen cooperation between the Ministry and organised labour.
Hon. Agyekum described the TUC as a “very powerful house”, commending the Congress for its strong representation of workers and its efforts to extend unionisation to workers in the informal sector.
He said his visit was not only in his capacity as Minister but also as a fellow worker who appreciated the concerns and aspirations of Ghanaian workers and recognised the importance of protecting their interests.
Hon. Agyekum assured the TUC that he was ready to work closely with organised labour to address challenges within Ghana’s labour market and strengthen cooperation among workers, employers and Government.
He emphasised that one of his key priorities would be to create decent job opportunities and a labour environment that was beneficial to both employers and employees, stressing that sustained social dialogue remained essential to achieving industrial peace and national development.
Earlier, on behalf of the leadership of the TUC, the Secretary–General of the TUC, Mr Joshua Ansah, welcomed the Minister and congratulated him on his appointment, describing his early engagement with organised labour as a positive demonstration of the importance Government attaches to social dialogue and partnership.
Mr Ansah used the occasion to raise a number of concerns affecting workers, including low incomes, pay inequalities, inadequate pension benefits, unemployment, underemployment, informality, casualisation and the outsourcing of labour.
He also called for renewed attention to decent work, particularly for young people, women, informal sector workers and persons with disabilities.
On labour legislation, the TUC urged the Ministry to work closely with organised labour in reviewing the Labour Bill, with particular emphasis on stronger protection for workers, safeguards against arbitrary termination of employment and measures to prevent temporary employment arrangements from becoming substitutes for permanent employment.
The engagement formed part of Hon. Agyekum’s efforts to deepen collaboration with organised labour and strengthen social partnership as the Ministry works towards a more harmonious, inclusive and productive labour and employment sector.
Click to read more: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/
