The Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Emmanuel Agyekum, has pledged to deepen government’s engagement with organised labour on key issues affecting workers, including wages, pensions, decent work and job creation.
Mr. Agyekum said government is committed to reducing unemployment by creating more opportunities, particularly for young people, through the expansion of industries and other productive sectors of the economy.
He made the commitment when he paid a working visit to the leadership of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in Accra, following his appointment by President John Dramani Mahama.
The meeting provided an opportunity for the new Minister to engage the leadership of organised labour on some of the major challenges confronting workers.
TUC calls for review of Labour Act
TUC Secretary-General, Joshua Ansah, used the meeting to draw the Minister’s attention to the need for an urgent review of the Labour Act, which he said had been long overdue.
Mr. Ansah particularly raised concerns about the termination of employees’ contracts without reasons, arguing that workers should be informed about the circumstances leading to the termination of their employment.
“We want you to look at the portion of the new Labour Act where employers terminate contracts without reason, and we think it must stop,” Mr. Ansah said.
He also urged the Minister to prioritise decent work, improved wages and salaries, as well as measures to address unemployment and create sustainable jobs for the growing workforce.
The TUC Secretary-General further highlighted challenges associated with the implementation of the Single Spine Salary Structure and called for renewed efforts to address concerns affecting workers.
He urged the Minister to remain firm in dealing with issues affecting organised labour and ensure that the concerns of workers receive the necessary attention.
Minister pledges social dialogue
Responding to the concerns, Mr. Agyekum assured the TUC of the government’s commitment to continuous dialogue with organised labour.
He said the Ministry would engage labour unions on a range of issues, particularly wages, pensions and job creation, as part of efforts to address challenges confronting workers and the broader economy.
The Minister expressed confidence that government had the capacity to significantly reduce unemployment in the country.
“I strongly believe that we have what it takes to deal with the unemployment situation in the country. As government, we have what it takes to bring unemployment down, and we are ready to do it,” he said.
Employers must give reasons for termination
Mr. Agyekum also assured the TUC that his ministry would engage employers on the need to provide reasons when terminating the appointments of employees.
According to him, workers deserve to know why their employment is being terminated, adding that the issue would be given attention as part of efforts to promote fairness, accountability and decent work practices.
“I don’t believe that employers should be allowed to terminate appointments without any reason. It is something I am going to ensure is addressed. At least, the employee should know why his appointment is being terminated,” he said.
The Minister’s engagement with the TUC forms part of his efforts to strengthen collaboration with organised labour and find practical solutions to challenges confronting workers and the labour market.
