Employers must treat workers fairly for contributing to the wealth at the workplace

Today’s May Day celebration is taking place barely four months after President John Mahama assumed the mantle to steer the affairs of Ghana’s Ship of State. The theme for the 2025 MAY DAY, is “RESETTING PAY AND WORKING CONDITIONS in Ghana -The ROLE OF STAKEHOLDERS.” The theme resonates with the current political leadership of the country. At the core of his 2024 campaign message was the resetting agenda. Ghanaian workers, expect that the resetting agenda will manifest in their pay and working conditions. Whatever service Ghanaian workers need to render for the economic growth and development of mother Ghana, should be done conscientiously and with alacrity, so as to meet timelines and achieve set targets. It is always important to leverage the opportunity workers have for the full realization of the purpose of trade unions and build capacity that can stand the test of time. Equally, employers are obligated to “play the game by the rule” so as to speak, and ensure that workers are treated fairly in accordance with the dictates of the Collective Agreement and the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) and not be short-changed. Workers must be given their fair share of the wealth they have contributed in creating, in terms of optimum wages/salaries and other benefits they are entitled to, without foot-dragging or any scheming to deprive them of what rightfully is due them. Industrial democracy, which is the epitome of social partnership and Worker-Management relationship, would then be seen to prevail to ensure peace, industrial harmony, increased productivity and profitability for the mutual benefit of the Ghanaian worker. 

As part of Organised Labor, ICU-Ghana doff its hat to you, the gallant workers of our dear country, for your unflinching resilience over the past years, in the face of daunting economic difficulties. And for tenaciously holding the fort in spite of excruciating economic hardship you have been enduring, where the “take-home” pay of most of you could hardly take them to the door step of their workplace, let alone take you home for you and your families to live dignified lives. As we celebrate May Day, the call goes to the Government and all stakeholders in labour, to put in place policies and measures that would ameliorate the prevailing high cost of living, and bring rapid economic relief to the working class and Ghanaians in general. At the same time, workers are urged, to now more than ever before, work harder to sustain work institutions and more importantly build a strong economy that would ensure the acceleration of the country’s development.

The new government’s Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment, is quite re-assuring, as it is a clear reflection of trade unions’ view for Government to prioritize job creation in its economic policies and accelerate sustainable job creation to meet the urgent needs of the teeming unemployed youth in the country. In the past couple of weeks, the various ICU-Ghana regional conferences, raised a number of issues which should receive positive response from government, as part of the resetting agenda, especially, opening up job opportunities, to drive the government’s noble intention of the 24-hour economy policy. The ICU particularly calls for urgent attention to be paid challenges confronting of State-Owned Enterprises like the PBC Plc, Neoplan Ghana Limited, New Times Corporation and Graphic Communication Group Limited among others. It also hopes National Investment Bank will continue to be a priority in the scheme of things of government, so that it can take its rightful place to propel investment and rapid industrial drive. When it comes to the Rural and Community Banks, they need fiscal policies that will support the rapid and sustainable growth. The ICU expects the government to be purposeful and consistent about the Women’s bank project, so that it does not suffer for lack of funds as witnessed in the past with the Women’s World Bank. Another area we call for action is the reactivation of the Pwalugu Tomato factory and the construction of a dam at Pwalugu in addition to existing dams in the Upper East Region to improve agricultural venture among other economic activities in the region. This obviously will go a long way to check youth migration. There is also the urgent need for critical look at the challenging state of the textile sector of the economy, finalizing all processes for the strategic investor for Aluworks. It is expected that Government will walk its talk. The scarcity of jobs, and the creation of unsustainable jobs, must be a thing of the past. 

On this note, we SALUTE ALL, GALLANT WORKERS OF GHANA with a big shout out of “AYEKOO”, for your resilience, perseverance and sacrifice for mother Ghana! Long Live the Gallant Workers of Ghana!

Long Live ICU-Ghana!!

Long Live Mother Ghana!!!

Solidarity Forever.

By: Morgan Ayawine, the General Secretary of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union, ICU Ghana

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