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.
Blood donation marks day in Sunyani
As part of the May Day Celebration, in the Brong-Ahafo Region, workers in the region trooped to Drobo, in the Jaman South District, to mark the occasion.
However, the Blood Bank of the Regional Hospital in Sunyani, in collaboration with Sky FM, a Sunyani-based local radio station, organized a blood donation exercise, to resource the bank.
The blood donation exercise has been organized every May Day, since 2004, and has been sustained effectively, as the patronage keeps increasing.
Before the introduction of the joint collaboration of the Regional Blood Bank and Sky FM's blood donation exercise, the blood bank relied on students, and some few church members for blood, which was a problem, especially when schools were on vacation, because the students could not be contacted to donate.
The idea to introduce the donation exercise was to reverse the situation, where the bank relied mainly on students and church members, by providing some incentives for blood donors.
About 180 units of blood were donated when the exercise started in May 2004.
There have been a series of such exercises, in subsequence years, with encouraging turnouts. In the year 2005, a total of 213 units of blood were donated. It reduced to 195 units the following year, but increased to265 units last year.
According to the Blood Programme Organizer at the Regional Hospital, George Annoh, the target for this year's donation exercise was 250 units.
He said the package containing T-shirts, caps, key rings, blood donors' certificates, and a bottle of Malta Guinness, given to the donors, was not enough, due to lack of sponsorship for this year's exercise.
George Annoh, however, stated that there would be sponsorship for the next year's donation exercise, and urged everyone to get involved, and donate blood to save lives.
He used the opportunity to commended Sky FM, for their collaboration, and the donors for generously helping to stock the blood bank, in the region with enough blood.
Placards herald day in Cape Coast
From Cape Coast, Magdalene Sey reports that workers from both the private, and public sectors, converged at the Jubilee Park grounds, as early as 7:00 a.m., to mark the May Day celebration.
The workers, who came from the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Metro Mass Transit (MMT), Valued Added Tax (VAT), Ghana Water Company Limited among others, carried placards with inscriptions, "Kufuor and Rawlings should rather unite us", "Correct salary anomalies", "10% increase, no!" and "Listen to workers, Mr. President" among others, to mark the day with a march past and parade.
The Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) of Cape Coast, Ms. Mercy Arhin, called for effective dialogue, between both management and staff, on working conditions, to ensure that both parties benefitted at their workplaces.
She noted that most of the labour-related disputes could be resolved, through negotiation and dialogue, indicating that the absence of dialogue had resulted in protracted confrontations among employers and employees.
Ms. Arhin commended workers in the metropolis for the peaceful and harmonious atmosphere that existed throughout last year, as well as the first quarter of the year, and encouraged them to maintain the same atmosphere, to ensure order, and promote development in the metropolis.
She urged workers to rededicate themselves to their duties, eschew negative practices, and work hard to ensure that the country's goal, of reaching a middle income status, by 2015, was achieved.
The Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, reading the President's address, commended workers in the region for their commitment to the socio-economic development of the area.
Certificates and prizes were awarded to hardworking staff, from the Teachers and Workers Union (TEWU), Public Utility Workers Union (PUWU), Public Service Workers Union (PSWU), Local Government Workers Union and the Cape Coast Municipal Assembly, among others.
Western Region celebrates day at Tarkwa
From the Western Region, Zam R. Samin reports that this year's May Dayparade took place at Tarkwa, in the Wassa West Municipality, where hundreds of workers from private and public institutions, and organizationsin the region, gathered to celebrate the day.
The Western Regional Minister, Anthony Evans Amoah, who was accompaniedby his deputy, Mr. Kwasi Blay, and Mr. David Yaro, Regional Cordinating Director, read the President's message.
The speech of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), General Secretary, was also read on his behalf, by the Acting Regional Secretary of the Union, Mr. K. T. Frimpong-Manso.
The newly-elected Wassa West Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. George Mireku Duker, in his welcome address, urged workers in the country, to commit themselves to their respective duties in their field of work, to enhance the economic growth of Ghana.
He also appealed to workers, to support government, in consolidating the country's fragile democracy.
"Our commitment to the protection, and preservation of fundamental human rights, and freedom, should be respected by all," he said.
He condemned the alleged kidnapping, and molestation of some of the railway workers, during their strike action, recently.
The Paramount Chief of the Wassa Fiase Traditional Area, Osagyefo Kwamena Enimil, who chaired the function, called for unity among Ghanaians, particularly workers.
He advised them to do away with politics, at their work places, and in the service of the nation.
In all, 24 workers in the region,were given awards and certificates, for their dedication and hardwork to their respective companies, and the nation.
They received a 14-inch colour television each. Fifteen other workers were also given certificates, for the special role they haveplayed inthe running of the union.
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