Safety, health and rights of Ghanaian workers

News Commentary on the Safety, Health and Rights of Ghanaian Workers.

Ghanaian workers are continuously hailed for their endurance and patience, given the conditions and environment under which they work. Despite numerous challenges including poor remuneration and the general economic difficulties, they wake up each morning to go to work and contribute to a better society. The situation of the Ghanaian worker is such that, he or she is not bold enough to insist on his right to know the details of their work schedules from their employers before signing on to any job.

According to a Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Coast, Dr. Francis Nsiah, who is also a technical advisor to Health and Safety Group – Africa, many Ghanaian workers accept work offers in companies and organisations without knowing the risk and hazards associated with such jobs and end up with occupational accidents and work-related diseases.

In less than a week, two very important days on the world calendar have been observed to pay tribute and celebrate workers, yet the Ghanaian workers’ condition remain the same if not worsening. It started with the International day for safety and health at work. A day set aside by ILO every 28th April to create awareness and promote safe, healthy and decent work. Just last Tuesday, Ghanaian workers joined their counterparts around the world to mark international workers day. These two events are geared towards celebrating the Ghanaian worker and his contribution to the world of work and society.

Interestingly, not many workers in our part of the world know their rights in their working environment. The few that know are afraid to insist on them. Unfortunately, whiles employers have refused to grant workers their right, governments have not done enough to protect the Ghanaian worker.

Although, Ghana has the Factories, Offices and Shops Act 1970, Act 328. The mining regulations 1970 LI 665 and the Labour Act 2003, act 561, they still don’t meet the ILO requirement in convention number 155 of 1981 which requires a country to have a comprehensive national policy on Occupational Safety and health management. We are told by the Minister of Employment and Labour Relation just a few days ago that Ghana will soon have such comprehensive policy since the draft bill is before cabinet for consideration.

Similar messages of assurance by the same ministry, same period last year. A comprehensive national policy on Occupational Safety and Health is long overdue, especially as we embark on the path of industrialisation as a country. A policy of such is crucial to ensure the health and Safety of workers and laws to protect their right.

According to ILO, 2 point 78 million workers die every year due to occupational accidents and work-related diseases. More than 1 million people get injured at work every day whiles 7 thousand 500 workers again die every day due to unsafe and unhealthy working environment. As we continue to demand safe and healthy working environments from our employers, we should remember that we have some right. The right to know the kind of job we are being offered, the right to participate in that job and the right to refuse to participate in the job if it is unsafe.

By Kingsley Nana Anokye Buadu, a Journalist and Communication Director.