By: Murtala Issah
The Trades Union Congress (TUC), has urged government to fast-track the ratification of Convention 190 and 183 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to address some challenges faced by women at the work place.
The Vice Chairperson for the TUC, Philomena Aba Samson, made the call at an event to mark the International Women’s Day in Tamale.
The event organised by leadership of the Trades Union Congress attracted women in the region and the National level including the Vice Chairperson of the TUC, Philomena Aba Samson.
The Secretary General of the TUC, Yaw Baah also graced the occasion to support women on the occasion.
Madam Philomena Aba Samson, in her address explained that, despite the progress made in promoting the rights of women at the work place, women continue to face various abuses, including sexual harassment and violence at the workplace.
She noted that, the ratification of the ILO convention 190, will serve as a major turning point in the struggle to free women in the field of work. She also advised that, maternity leave be increased to in line with ILO convention 183.
Madam Philomena observed that, such a move will not only enable women to produce and nurture healthy babies, but will encourage more women to attain their potential. “I think that, with exclusive breastfeeding if you are giving them at least fourteen weeks, to give the mother ample time for the baby, women are not doing this (making babies) alone.
That’s why we are calling on the government to see to it that, all these ratifications are done, so that as women, we will be better protected and then we will have a better and sound mind to do our jobs,” she emphasised.
