WORKERS ADVISED TO STUDY LABOUR ACT (DAILY GRAPHIC, JULU 3, PAGE 15)

GHANAIAN workers have been advised to take interest in studying the Labour Act 2003, Act 651 in order to appreciate trade unionism at the local and international levels.
The acting Deputy General Secretary Mr Morgan Ayawine, in charge of operations of Aluworks, made the appeal at an in-house seminar organised by the company’s union and management for the local union executives on the company’s premises in Tema.
The seminar was on the theme “Industrial peace and harmony, a pre-requisite for increased productivity-The role of union leaders at the workplace”.
Mr Ayawine indicates that the industrial and commercial workers union (ICU), which is a single largest organisation, encourages interactive platforms which provide members with the expertise to sharpen their skills.
He noted that the global economic crisis had now become more of a reality than a perception, forcing employers to formulate strategies in ensuring parity in workers’ salaries.
This, according to Mr Ayawine, gives the ICU a platform to encourage seminars and workshops that would see management and employees work hand in hand without necessarily raising suspicion of each other’s role.
Mr Ayawine challenged union executives not to compromise their leadership position as it would be a betrayal of the people they represented.
The Head of Education and Research at the ICU, Mr Emmanuel Yabani, and his deputy, Mrs Lucy Addipah, took participants through work ethics and productivity, worker management relationship, the role of the union executive and the Labour Act.
Mr Francis Agboada, Chief Finance Officer of Aluworks, who represented his Managing Director, assured the company’s continuous support for the labour force.
He indicated that, “As our employees strive to help us increase the company’s revenue, we as an entity would put into practice measures that would see them offering their best in terms of productivity.”
Mr Kingsley Addae, Chairman of the Professional and Managerial Staff Union (PMSU), expressed profound appreciation to the management of Aluworks for the opportunity, and called for the creation of more platforms for members to learn and appreciate knowledge in industrial relations.
Other elected members of the union are Mr Isaac Cobblah, Vice-Chairman; Emmanuel Foli, Secretary; Emmanuel Nanyo, Deputy Secretary; Paul Ashigbee, first Trustee; Charles Ocran, second Trustee, and Charles Klinogo, Welfare Officer.
Mr Francis Assifuah chairs the Junior Staff Union, with Ofori Obeng, Moses Owusu Ansah, Samuel Akuffo-Gyaye, Bart Scott Nkrumah and Samuel Aduful as members. Copies of the Labour Act were later presented to participants.