By Emmanuel Mensah-Abludo
The Upper West Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu, has commended the leadership of organised labour and workers for the restraint they have exercised in dealing with some of the labour issues. He observed that even though there have been occasions when certain strike actions in particular have raised serious concern, we are generally satisfied with the conduct of workers in the country.
He stated that workers’s agitations have centred on securing a living wage and better conditions of service and gave assurance that the government is very much committed to achieving this goal.
Mr Yakubu was speaking at the Upper West Regional May Day Parade in Wa. Before converging on Jubilee Park, the venue for the May Day Parade, workers marched through some of the of the principal streets of Wa.
Mr Stephen Yakubu, while commending the leadership of organised labour, entreated them to focus more on dialogue and negotiation.
“Leadership of organised labour should focus more on dialogue and negotiation rather than adopt strike or other violent means, when misunderstandings on labour issues arise. We should also endeavour to draw the linkages between enhanced salary and increased productivity. Both of them require each other and your side of the bargain must be fulfilled. Higher productivity will rake in more money for higher salaries,” the Regional Minister observed.
Mr Yakubu stressed the necessity for us all to uphold democratic principles by fostering harmony and inclusivity, saying “As we approach the upcoming elections, it is imperative that we acknowledge the immense contribution of workers and social partners in safeguarding the democratic principles upon which our nation is built. From ensuring access to fair wages and labour rights to advocating for inclusive policies that uplift the marginalised, workers and social partners are the driving force behind progress and prosperity”.
He, however, added that, “amidst the fervour of electoral campaigns and political agendas, we must not lose sight of the fundamental values that unite us as a nation. Unity, tolerance, and mutual respect are the pillars upon which peaceful elections and national development stand. It is incumbent upon each and every one of us to uphold these values and foster an environment of harmony and inclusivity.”
The Upper Regional Secretary of TUC, Godwin Gariba, who read the TUC Secretary-General address, said the depreciation of the Cedi against the Dollar has made workers worse off.
“Comrades, we are celebrating this year’s May Day at the time Ghanaian workers and their families are grappling with high cost of living and inflation of over 25 percent. Exchange rate of the cedi is now almost GHC14 to one US dollar compared to about GHC4 in 2016. That means workers who earned monthly salary of GH1000 in 2016 took home the equivalent of about US$250. Today, GHS1000 is only US$71. The depreciation of the Ghana Cedi at this monumental scale (i.e., 250 percent depreciation in the last eight years) represents a huge decline in the living standards of Ghanaians, generally, and workers in particular,” he stated.
Awards were presented to some deserving workers for their contributions trade unionism.
