By The Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union Ghana (ICU-Ghana) under the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has issued a stern warning to the government, asserting that they will not stand idly by while public sector workers are shortchanged under the pretext of a global economic downturn.
This admonition coincides with the May Day celebration, themed “Election 2024: The Role of Workers and Social Partners in Securing Peaceful Elections for National Development.”
In a statement penned and disseminated by the General Secretary of the union, Morgan Ayawine, it was emphasized that with economies showing signs of recovery, the government must make a concerted effort to enhance the conditions of service for public sector workers.
“We must jealously protect and guard against any employer who may want to short-change labour under the guise of global economic recession when it has been established that economies and businesses are recovering and the outcomes are positive,” the statement said
The union additionally cautioned employers against converting permanent job positions into casual and contract work solely to maximize profits, urging them to refrain from such practices.
“Whilst we work collaboratively with our social partners to increase jobs and protect same, it is pertinent to sound a note of caution to employers who indulge in such demeaning practices of converting permanent job positions to casual and contract work in a bid to maximize profit, to halt it out rightly, as it is not only demotivating but also unacceptable and may eventually backfire on them”.
The union, however, commended employers who support and foster a conducive working environment for their workers.
“For the empathetic employers who share in workers’ pain and are doing their bit to alleviate the pains and suffering, we salute and appreciate them and encourage them to do more, and in the same measure workers should continue with their avowed commitment to working harder all year round, to ensure high productivity, profitability and sustainability of the employers’ businesses to achieve their organizational goals for the mutual good of both parties and the growth and development of the national economy”.
Regarding the 2024 general elections, ICU Ghana also urged its members to abstain from engaging in any activities that could jeopardize peace and stability in the lead-up to the elections.
“The National Union (ICU-Ghana), therefore, wishes to take this opportunity to advise all workers to stay away from any person who would want to influence you to do acts that could undermine the peace and stability of the country in this year’s elections”.
