Africa-Press – Ghana. Mr. Bernard Owusu, Chairman of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), has urged the government to implement a comprehensive living wage policy that prioritises dignity and fairness for workers.
“We must adopt a living wage—wages that respect our dignity—for compensation and not
exploitation. A living wage for a living life,” he said.
Mr. Owusu made the call in a welcome address at the 2025 National May Day celebration at Black Star Square in Accra.
The event, held on the themed “Resetting Pay and Working Conditions in Ghana: The Role of Stakeholders,” brought together over 30 union groups and companies from both private and public sectors.
It was attended by President John Dramani Mahama, government officials, and National Democratic Congress members.
Mr. Owusu described May Day as a symbol of solidarity, celebrating workers’ victories, particularly the establishment of the 8-hour workday.
He expressed concern over worsening wages and pensions, citing inflation and systemic inequality.
The TUC Chairman called for the unification of public sector pay and pensions to eliminate disparities and recommended the establishment of an independent employment commission.
He urged President Mahama to advance social partnerships to address challenges faced by workers and employers.
Mr. Owusu cautioned workers against allowing political differences to overshadow their shared struggles.
“We must remember that we are workers first, not politicians. Political fights rise and fall every eight years at most, but our journey as workers spans three to four decades of our lives.”
Mr. Owusu stressed the need for unity, saying, “We must rise above divisions and hold fast to the principles that have carried workers through the ages—that united we stand, united we fight as workers. We must unite for fairness because only stronger together can we push for the change we deserve.”
He raised concerns over mass terminations in the public sector and called for the reinstating of unfairly dismissed workers.
On illegal mining, he urged the government to revoke Legislative Instrument 2462, which permits mining in forest reserves, to prioritise environmental protection.
Mr. Joshua Ansah, Secretary-General of the TUC, congratulated President Mahama on his electoral victory, expressing hope that his mandate would foster fair, people-centered policies anchored on decent work and social justice.
He decried wage disparities across sectors, noting that while some chief executives earn allowances three times higher than the highest-paid public servants, most workers earn below the poverty line.
Mr. Ansah proposed replacing the minimum wage with a living wage that accounts for housing, healthcare, education, and transportation costs.
“We must replace the current human wage with a living wage that considers the needs of workers and their families, as well as productivity concerns of employers. Workers and their families must live in dignity and security,” he said.
He praised the living wage and pay harmonisation efforts initiated during President Mahama’s previous administration, calling for continuity.
The Secretary-General criticised Ghana’s pension system as inequitable, citing delayed contributions, mismanagement of second-tier schemes, and government interference in pension fund boards.
He urged timely payment of contributions, stricter oversight of second-tier schemes, and greater worker control over pension fund management.
Mr. Ansah also lamented the challenges of unionisation in private sector workplaces, particularly foreign-owned companies, citing the dismissal of workers from Southern SMEs who joined the Ghana Mine Workers’ Union.
He accused employment agencies of complicity in labour abuses, including wage theft, lack of social security registration, and unsafe working conditions.
Mr. Ansah linked these challenges to weakened labour institutions, including the underfunded Ministry of Labour and the overburdened National Labour Commission.
“In your first budget, Mr. President, you have allocated GHC95 million to the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment. Less than the amount you have earmarked to pay allowances to Assemblymen and Unions.”
“Mr. President, government must consider reversing upward the budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment. The industrial relations seem to be quite peaceful. But it will not be sustainable unless we work together as cooperative partners to keep the peace,” he added.
He cautioned against the proposed privatisation of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), arguing it would worsen hardships for Ghanaians already struggling with high tariffs.
The TUC commended the government for refusing to renew Abu Dhabi Coalface Ltd’s mining lease and called for a review of Ghana’s mining fiscal regime to maximise national benefits.
On labour laws, the union urged swift reform of the Labour Act (Act 651) to close loopholes and enhance worker protections.
Mr. Ansah expressed concern over the exclusion of unions from national policy committees and called for their involvement in all key decision-making processes.
He urged Ghana to ratify ILO Convention C-190 to combat gender-based violence in the workplace and thanked the National Labour Planning Committee for organising a successful May Day celebration.
The celebration ended with a march by workers’ unions, who displayed banners and placards highlighting their concerns, hoping for the President’s intervention.
For More News And Analysis About Ghana Follow Africa-Press
