Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Reverend David Ampah-Bennin, Director of Welfare of the Ghana Police Service, on Sunday called on workers in the country to fight for the unemployed.
He asked workers not to be interested in only how to enrich their pockets but to advocate for the unemployed get decent jobs.
DCOP Ampah-Bennin made the call in a sermon to mark the May Day that was on the theme: “Decent Work for sustainable economic development”, in Ho.
He expressed worry that high unemployment rate with some people engaged in indecent jobs adding “I am waiting for the day workers will
demonstrate and strike for authorities to create jobs for the unemployed”.
DCOP Ampah-Bennin asked workers to desist from illegal activities and wait on the Lord and work hard for good rewards.
He appealed to workers to be loyal to the State and avoid acts of indiscipline at workplaces.
Mr Elvis Van-Lare, Volta Regional Secretary of the Ghana Trades Union Congress, said it was unacceptable that after 54 years of independence,
Ghanaian workers were not enjoying “reasonable ratings in employment creation, workers rights, social protection and social dialogue.”
He said if democracy failed to deliver decent work and improved living standards, people could lose confidence in the political system, and called for democracy and good governance to be translated into “real” improvement in the standards of living of the people.
Mr Van-Lare said street hawking in the country was a survival strategy in the absence of decent jobs, and a reflection of employment policy failure and the failure of macro-economic policies and called on government to deal with the “huge decent work deficit.”
Mr Van-Lare said the Single Spine Salary Structure required further review if workers were to have real benefits in the new pay policy,
He said: “in order to improve productivity we should first improve wages. Employers should invest in the training of their workers and pay
them well. Firms that use reasonable proportion of their revenue to pay their workers above the market rate are able to reduce worker turnover and
increase labour productivity”.
Mr Van-Lare expressed misgivings about labour issues, working conditions and environment at some workplaces and called on stakeholders
in those areas to address such concerns amicably.
He also called on Government to ensure transparency in the administration of the country’s oil resource so that it would be a blessing not accurse to the citizenry.
Mr Van-Lare asked Government not to renew the management contract with Aqua Vitens Rand Limited, a water company, due to inefficiency.
He asked all political parties and other stakeholders to exhibit maturity during Election 2012.
Mr Joseph Amenowode, Volta Regional Minister, who read the President’s address, reiterated Government’s commitment to improving the lots of Ghanaian workers towards sustainable economic development.
He gave the assurance that Government would do everything possible for workers to enjoy their due under the SSSS.
Mr Amenowode said: “The NDC Government under President Mills will remain sensitive to workers plight,” and called for continued dialogue
between employers and employees.
The Regional Minister advised corrupt indiscipline and corrupt workers to refrain from such practices.
Fifteen workers including 85 years old, Benjamin Kofi Amoah, former Industrial Relations Officer of Local Government Workers’ Union, were
awarded for distinguishing themselves in the labour front.