Improving workers’ conditions crucial for increased productivity

 Yesterday, Ghana joined the global commu­nity to observe May Day, set aside each year, to honour the sacrifices and contributions of workers to national and global development.

Across the country, the occa­sion was marked by durbars, pa­rades, and speeches by organised labour leaders and government officials.

This year’s theme: “Striving for Peace and Stability to Drive In­dustrialisation, Trade, and Decent Work for Social Justice,” is both timely and relevant, as the coun­try strives for industrial peace towards economic recovery.

Since 1960, Ghana, has been observing the occasion, also known as International Workers’ Day, using it as a platform for re­flection, recognition and renewed calls for better working condition and fair treatment of workers.

Workers in the formal and informal sectors – agriculture, industry, civil service, and private sector, have remained the engine of national development.

Indeed, without labour, other factors of production; land, capital and entrepreneurship, cannot be effectively harnessed for human progress.

Yet, despite the important role labour play, many Ghanaian workers continue to operate un­der difficult and often inhumane conditions.

Ghana’s Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), underscores the importance of decent work —fair wages, safe working environments, and the protection of workers’ rights, inter alia.

But, reports of violations of workers’ rights, including, denial of adequate healthcare, non-pay­ment of social security contri­butions, and stifling of efforts to form and belong to unions, remain the bane of some Ghana­ian workers.

Indeed, some Ghanaians find themselves in jobs that are undig­nified, insecure, and hazardous to their health and wellbeing.

This reality undermines not only the welfare of the individual worker, but also the broader goal of attaining sustainable devel­opment. Many workers, despite earning low wages, are expected to survive under increasingly harsh economic conditions. No wonder, Ghanaian workers are referred to as “magicians”, a sobering reflection of their inge­nuity and resilience in the face of adversity.

As the country marks this year’s May Day, The Ghanaian Times joins the Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union (ICU) and other labour organisations in calling on the government and employers to urgently address the poor work­ing conditions of workers.

Employers should be reminded that decent pay, safe working en­vironments, and access to social protection, are not privileges but fundamental rights of workers.

We also urge government to fully implement and enforce the Single Spine Pay Policy, to ensure parity in remuneration across in­stitutions. The current system, in which individuals with equal qual­ifications and experience receive vastly different salaries depending on where they work, is inherently unjust and demoralising.

Additionally, the unethical practice whereby some employers lay off workers after six months only to re-engage them in a bid to avoid regularising their employ­ment status must also be brought to an end.

It is, gratifying to note that President John Mahama has pledged to prioritise timely salary payments, modernised workplace environments, enhanced occupa­tional health and safety policies, pension contributions, and the reform of Ghana’s “distorted” pension system through an ad hoc stakeholder committee.

Speaking at this years’ National May Day Parade in Accra, the President assured of govern­ment’s commitment to improving wages and restoring hope in Ghanaian workers.

This is indeed, good news, but we call on workers to play their part, in tackling all challenges facing the lalour front, to propel the economy forward.

While workers demand more from government or employers, they must also uphold the highest standards of integrity, profession­alism and dedication to increase production.

Acts such as stealing, misuse of work hours for non-produc­tive activities, and absenteeism, undermine not just workplace efficiency, productivity, but the collective fight for improved working conditions.

On this occasion, The Ghanaian Times salutes all Ghanaian work­ers, and say ‘ayeekoo.’