The Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL) has underscored the importance of sustainable agricultural practices in ensuring the enduring viability of agricultural labor and enhancing working conditions.
The GFL has recommended that the government should promote the adoption of organic and/or regenerative farming methods, advocate for integrated pest management, and make investments in irrigation, soil fertility, and other essential inputs.
In a document addressed to the Minister of Finance titled “GFL Inputs for the Preparation of the 2024 Budget Statement and Economic Policy,” jointly signed by Mr. Caleb Nartey and Mr. Abraham Koomson, President and Secretary-General of the GFL, respectively, and shared with the Ghana News Agency in Tema, the following points were highlighted:
The GFL further proposed a focus on rural infrastructure and services, as these are integral to creating a supportive environment for agricultural labor. This entails ensuring access to affordable housing, basic services like water, sanitation, and electricity, and improvements in road and transportation networks.
The Federation of Labour stressed the importance of reinforcing labor rights and protections to guarantee the adequate safeguarding of agricultural labor, which is fundamental for establishing a safe and secure working environment.
“This includes ensuring that workers have access to collective bargaining rights and that labour laws are properly enforced,” the Federation stated.
The federation also called for improved access to credit and financing, which it described as essential for agricultural workers to invest in their operations and increase their productivity, by providing access to small loans, subsidies, and other forms of financial support.
The GFL also called for enhanced support for training and education to improve the skills of agricultural labour and ensure that they have the necessary knowledge and expertise too.
The Federation also called for a review of the current Pensions Act, Act 766, Act 2008, as pensioners receive reduced lump sum benefits as compared to lump sum benefits under PNDC Law 247.
The GFL stressed that an estimated 80 percent of retirees were made worse off in 2020 alone, adding that the numbers were expected to rise this year and subsequent years if urgent steps were not initiated to reverse the trend.
The GFL reminded the President to redeem to top up the deficit for those who received reduced pensions in 2020.
As part of the preparation for the presentation of the 2024 budget and in line with Section 21(1) of the Public Financial Act 2016 (Act 921), the Ministry of Finance requested that labour unions and identifiable groups submit inputs for consideration in the 2024 Budget and Economic Policy.