The Trades Union Congress (TUC) is calling for an urgent review of Ghana’s Labour Act to strengthen workers’ rights and address concerns over low wages, inadequate pension benefits, rising living costs and insecure employment.
TUC Secretary-General, Joshua Ansah, made the call on Thursday, September 10, while addressing the press.
He said low wages remain one of the most pressing challenges facing workers, as incomes for many households continue to fall short of the rising cost of food, rent, transportation, utilities, education and healthcare.
“Low pay is one of the most urgent concerns confronting workers,” Mr Ansah said.
He also raised concerns about pension benefits, saying many retirees receive inadequate payments that are insufficient to meet their basic needs, particularly the rising cost of healthcare.
“A pension should protect dignity in old age. Yet, many retirees receive benefits that are too low to meet basic needs, particularly medical care,” he said.
According to him, the rising cost of living is further reducing the real value of pensions, while pension growth for workers in the informal sector remains inadequate.
Mr Ansah also expressed concern about workers who continue to perform permanent core duties under what he described as “so-called short-term contracts.”
He said some workers were engaged through labour contractors or other arrangements that denied them equal treatment, job security, social security coverage and the right to join a union.
“The law should look at the reality of their employment relationship, not merely the level placed on their contract,” he said.
The TUC supports a review of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), arguing that Ghana needs a modern labour framework that reflects changing forms of work, strengthens labour institutions and promotes decent work.
The Congress is therefore calling for an urgent and comprehensive review of the country’s labour laws to strengthen worker protection, address emerging employment arrangements, expand social protection and uphold decent work standards.