General News of Wednesday, 21 June 2006

Source: GNA

MPs call for more favourable labour climate

Accra, June 21, GNA - Members of Parliament on Wednesday approved a report on the National Labour Commission Regulations, 2006 (L.I. 1822) with a call on stakeholders to create favourable labour conditions that would put an end to the rampant strikes across the country.

The Members also called on the National Labour Commission (NLC) to embark on public education on the new Labour Law to ensure that everybody was conversant with its provisions.

Members were contributing to a motion for the adoption of the Report of the Committee on Subsidiary Legislation on the NLC Regulations, 2006 L.I. 1822.

The Committee in the Report said it had observed that the regulations had become necessary in "view of the increase in strike actions from various labour forces, and the tedious procedures negotiators encounter in reaching an agreement". It said the NLC Regulations, 2006 (L.I.1822) spelt out in detail procedures for negotiation, mediation and arbitration among other things.

The Report said during labour disputes, negotiations "are to be completed within seven working days after, which if it remains unresolved, either party shall refer the dispute to the NLC for the appointment of a mediator".

"Where a dispute remains unresolved, within the specified period after the commencement of a strike or lock out, the dispute shall be settled by compulsory arbitration by the Commission," the Report said. "The Committee has examined the object and provisions of the regulations and is of the considered view that they are in conformity with the Constitution, the Parent Act and the procedural requirements specified in the Standing Order 166 of Parliament. The Committee, therefore, recommends that this House allows the NLC Regulations, 2006, L.I. 1822 to come into force with the effluxion of time," the Report said.