Naa Bettey Nelson
5 November 2008
The Chairperson of the National Labour Commission (NLC), Joseph A. Aryitey has expressed his opinion about the attitude of discouraging unionization which is an unfair labour practice. In his view, the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre ought to make investors aware of these rights.
Speaking at a forum of the National Labour Commission (NLC) in Accra, on the theme -"Freedom of Association and Internal Democracy within Unions", he pointed out that the NCL itself ought to draw attention to this right. "But we do not recommend the situation where the stable is bolted after the horses have escaped."
He said that unions negotiate for good working conditions in many companies, such as on issues of promotion, transfer; charge, retirement and compensation.
He pointed out that early unions exerted an influence on employers that promoted the development of democracy into working relationships.
"Some people have concluded that unions represent a means by which workers can cope with the stronger political and economic power of employers and thus can introduce democracy into working relationships", he added.
He explained that intra and inter union relations matter in the concept of democracy.
Joseph Aryitey cited the 1992 constitution, Article 36 stating that "the state shall encourage the participation of workers in the decision making process at the workplace."
He said the NLC considers it necessary to meet at the forum so it can promote industrial democracy. On numerous occasions, the NLC have advocated for a Peer Review Mechanism, but feels that this was not easily exercisable because some persons are not comfortable with such review.
Mr. Aryitey further lamented that if democracy was to thrive, then the NLC needs self examination and peer review from time to time. He opined that there is a need for transparency in administration even among unions.
The Deputy Chairman of NLC, Mr. Kwasi Danso-Acheampong also added that the Chief Labour Officer shall be subjected to regulations made by the Minister to determine which union should hold the collective bargaining certificate for workers, in a situation where there is more than one trade union at the workplace.
He emphasized that it was important to state that freedom of association as guaranteed was not absolute.
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