2 May 2008
THE ASHANTI Regional Secretary of the Trade Union Congress of Ghana (TUC), Mr. Robert Atonga Asekabta, has asked workers in the country to allow the historic resistance against forced work, by their forebearers, to inspire them to work hard in their various enterprises, and work places.
According to him, this would insulate workers from dominance by employers, since both are there to complement each other's efforts. "One cannot do without the other," he stressed.
Speaking at a parade to mark the May Day celebration in Kumasi, the TUC Regional Secretary said, without hard work there would not be any employable jobs for workers, and managements on the other hand, would also have no profits from their investments.
The May Day celebration was in commemoration of the fight, which sought to relieve workers of forced work, for unimaginable long hours, under dangerous conditions.
It happened in Chicago in April 1886, when about 250,000 workers signed up for the "May Day Movement," to fight for eight hours, which presently constitute the legitimate and legal work period for a day.
Mr. Asekabta continued that workers needed to improve their public image, which, he noted, was seriously being undermined, indicating that such an improvement would automatically reverse the trend, and give back to them recognition for the value of their work.
According to him, although the country's economy was said to be stable, most workers still found it difficult to get three-square meals a day, pointing to the current price increases of staple foods.
"We would like to bring to the notice of government that workers are demanding for fair pay. There must be a lasting solution to the salary problems, if government will no longer want to condone with embarrassment caused by rampant strikes," he stated, and reminded government that fair pay, also leads to the reduction of corruption in the public sector.
"We have not heard much from the Fair Salary and Wages Commission. Where are they, and what have they done so far?" he quizzed and continued, "We are simply not asking for fair pay, but Organized Labour shall cooperate with government, in whatever way, to improve productivity and effectiveness, by implementing the single-spine compensation salary structure now."
The TUC Regional Boss marked out housing, as one of the numerous problems facing workers in the country, and the Ashanti Region in particular.
"Our landlords burden us with heavy rents, sometimes they demand for more than our monthly salaries as advances, and eject us at will, without any person raising a finger."
The Regional Minister, Mr. Emmanuel Kofi Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, read President Kufuor's address to the gathering, which mainly centred on the deepening of democracy, and the commitmentof his government, to solve the salary problem of workers across the country, especially the railway workers.
The Kumasi May Day celebration was marked with a colourful procession of placard wielding workers, backed by brass-band music, from the Central Post Office at Adum, to the Golden Jubilee Park at Fante-Newtown.
Some of them read: "Too much bill for utilities; rents are too high; we are tired of NPP promises; 'Oga de chop am funya-funya' and "a hungry man is an angry man."
Irate workers of the Ghana Railway Company expressed their anger, and dissatisfaction, with the manner government was handling the sector.
Singing of patriotic songs marks day at Ho SamuelAgbewodereports from the Volta Regional capital, Ho, that the various workers unions in the region, marched through the principal streets of Ho, singing patrioticsongs to mark the day, and later converged at the Jubilee Park, where the Volta Regional Minister, Mr. Samuel Kofi Dzamesi, and Regional Trade Union Congress Secretary, addressed them.
The workers groups, which included the Public Workers Union, Public Utility Workers Union, Industrial and Commercial Workers Union, Civil Servants Association among others, carried placards, some of which read "President Kufuor do something before you go", "Our living conditions: the value is the same" and "Single-spine salary structure must be fair and equitable."
Mr. Samuel Kofi Dzamesi commended the workers for their hard work, and dedication to duty, which, he noted, contributed immensely towards the level of the socio economic development of the country, and stressed the need for workers to work hard for the development of the country.
Mr. Dzamesi said the government was doing much, to improve on the living conditions of the people, but due to the global trend in the increases in fuel prices, such efforts were not being realized, stressing that the government would continue to adopt prudent measures, to ensure that life became comfortable for the people.
He pointed out the need for organized labour to respect labour laws of the country, so as to ensure industrial peace and harmony, which, he noted, was crucial to the development of the country, as well as adhering to democratic practices, which would create peaceful working environments for the people.
The Volta Regional Secretary of the TUC, Mr. Maxwell Akoto-Mireku, who read the speech of the General Secretary of the Union, commended government for the promotion of democracy, and stressed that workers would not accept practices, which undermined the basic human rights of the people, saying political parties should also avoid the use of vulgar language during campaigns.
Fourteen selected workers from various labour unions in the region, who distinguished themselves, received awards for their hard work.
They received certificates, TV sets and tape recorders as their prizes.
Bolga workers demand higher pay
WORKERS IN the UpperEast Region, yesterday, joined their counterparts in the country, andtheworld over, to celebrate International Workers'Day, or MayDay, with a call on the government toincrease salaries, to be at par with the high cost of living in the country.
Before the official ceremony at the forecourt of the Ghana Telecombuilding in Bolgatanga, the various workers' unions had embarked on float, through the principal streetsof the Bolgatanga Municipality, amidst brass band music,and jubilation in recognition of all workers in the region.
During the reading of solidalitymessages by the various workers' groups, theywereallunanimous in their demand, for salaries adjustments to cushion themselves and their families, emphasizing that, "things were getting tough."
The Judicial Service, in their message, called for the adoption of a comprehensive policy, to free the streets of the countryof unemployed youth, while an improvement in the economy, should also reflect in the pockets of all Ghanaians.
The Civil Servants Association complained about the delay of the Single-spine salarystructure, which, they said, should have takenoffin January, 2008.
According to them,they would advise themselves, if government keeps on making vague promises.
Again, they also expressed disatisfaction with the delay in the promotion of deserving workers, which they said now takes 10 to 15 years, instead of the original 3years.
The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) also stressed the need for salary adjustments, as pricesof food and food products were onthe ascendancy.
The Acting Regional Secretary of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr. Richard Asueme, appealed to allworkers' union groups, to always exercise patience, since the TUC and its partnerscannot award all the groups in every ceremony.
The Upper East Deputy Regional Minister, Mrs. Agnes Chigabatia, read President Kufuor's speech.
The President commended allworkersof Ghana, for their dedication to work, and pledged government's commitment towards the improvement of livingconditions.
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