The Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL) has urged all labor unions to remain steadfast and coordinate their efforts to uphold the interests of workers.
They should also establish enabling circumstances so that employees can reap the rewards of their labor.
Speaking at the Ghana News Agency Tema Industrial News Hub Boardroom Dialogue, Mr. Abraham Koomson, General Secretary of the GFL, said that employees should not be made to suffer because of the wrongdoings of the employer.
He reminded labour unions that the Labour Act 2003 fortified workers against any acts of omission or commissions that may be at the detriment of the worker, “the act forbids any action or policy that would make the employee worse off, let us hold on to the laws and defend our workers’ interest at all times.”
Mr Koomson reiterated the call for the government to reduce its expenditure drastically to set the tone of reviving the current economic recession in the country.
Mr Koomson also said the government’s lifestyle must reflect the current state of the economy hence the need to reduce expenditure and collectively find amicable solutions for the current situation.
He said the government debt exchange programme would push people in the middle and lower class into absolute poverty which would have a huge impact on the development of the country.
Mr Koomson said the programme would also render most of the banks vulnerable which would in the long term affect the living standard of the citizenry.
“Some banks and financial institutions including insurance companies would collapse in the next five years, as confidence in the financial sector continues to wean.
“Most people are yet to overcome the impact of the banking sector clean-up, and now we are encountering a major financial earthquake, let us be careful not to totally destroy the financial base of the country,” he said.
Mr Koomson expressed concern that the relationship between the government and organized labour has become a fragile one with no trust, “2023 is going to be a year of intensified agitations to save the country.”
The GFL General Secretary also advised the military against any adventurous intervention which would destabilize.
He said organized labour would use internationally recognise labour procedures to get redress and redeem the economy.