Ghana Launches First National Informal Waste Workers Union
In a landmark step toward extending formal labour protections to the informal sector, the Government of Ghana has officially launched the National Informal Waste Worker Union (NIWWU).
The launch, held under the theme “From Informality to Inclusion: Recognising Informal Waste Workers as Essential Actors in Ghana’s Circular Economy,” marks the birth of the nation’s first unified labour body dedicated to protecting and representing informal waste collectors, sorters, and recyclers.
Delivering the keynote address at the unveiling ceremony, the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Hon. Dr Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo (MP), described the event as a lawful and historic milestone rooted in Ghana’s statutory and international commitments.
“Today’s event is a powerful affirmation that the men and women who recover, sort, recycle, and divert waste from our landfills have made invaluable contributions to environmental sustainability, public health, and national development,” Dr Pelpuo stated.
“This occasion marks the birth of Ghana’s first National Informal Waste Worker Union, a landmark achievement in extending labour representation to a group of workers who have long contributed significantly to our economy without formal recognition.”
The Minister emphasised that under the Labour Act 2003 (Act 651) and International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions ratified by Ghana, every worker has the constitutional right to form or join a trade union. Once registered by the Chief Labour Officer, the union holds full legal standing to bargain, organise, and represent its members.
Dr Pelpuo noted that Ghana is joining a growing global movement, including nations like India and Brazil, that organises informal waste pickers into cooperatives and unions to guarantee social protection and decent work conditions.
The establishment of the union was driven by the Green Africa Youth Organisation (GAYO) alongside its strategic partners and thousands of waste workers across Ghana’s 16 regions.
The Minister urged all key stakeholders, including Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs), recycling companies, Producer Responsibility Organisations, and civil society, to treat NIWWU as a legitimate strategic partner in accelerating Ghana’s transition to a circular economy.
Charging the newly inducted union leadership to lead with integrity, Dr Pelpuo concluded by calling for unity, democratic governance, and gender and youth inclusion within the organisation’s ranks before officially unveiling NIWWU’s logo and institutional identity.
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