Employers have been called upon not to hide behind the challenging unemployment situation in the country, to pursue non-standard forms of employment, which do not guarantee secured jobs and social protection for workers. This is contained in a statement by the Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union, ICU-Ghana, to mark “WORLD DAY FOR DECENT WORK” which falls today October, 7, 2022.
The day seeks to draw attention of stakeholders in the employment sector to ensure future financial and job security of workers among others.
The ICU-Ghana urges social partners in the employment sector to unite to stop employers promoting casual and contract work.
The statement signed by the Union’s General Secretary, Morgan Ayawine, condemned the practice where some employers are blatantly violating the labour laws by outsourcing permanent employees only to re-engage them as casuals or contract workers through employment agencies.
As a result, such workers receive reduced wages and salaries, which undermine their social insurance like SSNIT, with serious repercussions for their future financial security.
While the ICU-Ghana acknowledges that the country’s labour laws allow for casual and contract work for seasonal jobs, it pointed out that the laws frown upon such engagements going beyond the seasonal job period of six months.
The union therefore calls on the relevant authorities, particularly, the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, to deal with employers whose actions are undermining fairness and equality in the country’s employment structure.
ICU-Ghana noted that the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic impacted heavily on a number of workers, and there is the need for employers, to stop pursuing non-standard forms of employment, which will make World Day for Decent Work matters worse for workers.
The statement said ICU-Ghana, as one of the single largest trade unions in the country, will not sit unconcern for any employer to work against efforts at promoting the decent work agenda.