The Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL) has called on organised labour to strengthen its unity and adopt a more proactive approach in 2023 to effectively protect the rights and welfare of workers across the country.
Speaking at the Ghana News Agency Platform, the Secretary-General of the GFL, Abraham Koomson, said the industrial actions and labour unrest witnessed during the year reflected growing frustration among workers over what they perceived as unfair treatment and policies that undermine their interests.
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According to Mr Koomson, organised labour must present a united front in confronting governments and employers whose actions or inactions negatively affect workers.
“Labour unions must not sit again; we must rise up and fight for our fair share of the national cake,” he said.
Mr Koomson questioned disparities in retirement benefits across the public sector, arguing that while some workers retire on their full salaries with accompanying benefits, others leave service with significantly less.
He described the situation as unfair and called for reforms to ensure equity in retirement conditions for all public sector workers.
“We all work for the same state. Either we all retire on our full salaries and other benefits or we all go home without them. The animal farm policies must give way,” he stated.
The GFL Secretary-General also expressed concern about divisions within organised labour, saying successive governments had taken advantage of the lack of unity to pursue political interests within labour unions.
He urged labour leaders to place the welfare of workers above partisan considerations and work together to build a stronger and more effective labour movement.
Mr Koomson further criticised individuals who seek leadership positions within labour unions for personal gain rather than to serve the interests of members.
He said labour organisations needed pragmatic solutions to strengthen solidarity and effectively advocate for workers’ rights.
Also speaking at the event, the Tema Regional Manager of the Ghana News Agency, Francis Ameyibor, called on organised labour to deepen its collaboration with the media.
He said the media had become an indispensable tool for labour advocacy and should be treated as a strategic partner rather than being engaged only when labour unions require publicity.
“Media is a strategic partner for the development and growth of organised labour and must be at the centre of labour advocacy,” Mr Ameyibor said.
