Business News of Tuesday, 19 January 2010

Source: GNA

Respect the right of workers to join unions of their choice

Kumasi, Jan 19, GNA - Mr Samuel Kwasi Donkor Baffoe, Industrial Relations Officer, Union of Industry, Commerce and Finance (UNICOF) of the Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC) in-charge of Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo regions, has called on employers to respect the right of workers to join any labour union of their choice. They should refrain from threatening their unionized employees with dismissals.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Kumasi, Mr Baffoe said the trade unions provided platform to discuss not only improved conditions of service but also resolve grievances for the promotion of industrial peace and harmony.

Their goal is to achieve increased productivity through better working conditions and job security. Mr Baffoe spoke of plans to organize leadership training programmes to build the capacity of UNICOF members to raise performance. He said it was important the workers were assisted through education to sharpen their skills and expertise to achieve optimal production growth.

He drew attention to the need for mutual understanding between labour and employers to enhance productivity. Mr Baffoe urged workers to ensure that the Unions are strengthened to maintain an impregnable labour front and said this was in their own interest.