The Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL) has appealed to the Akufo-Addon government to support workers to sustain their businesses despite lifting the lockdown.

General Secretary of the GFL, Mr Abraham Koomson, who made the call in Dwaboase on Power FM, said the survival of employers and employees, especially those in the production sector is crucial to sustaining the country’s economy.

Experts have predicted the spread of the coronavirus will destroy economic growth as most businesses are hit by measures put in place by the Government to contain the virus also known as COVID-19.

In reality, action by Governments around the world may not be enough to stop the decline of businesses.

Lifting the 3-week lockdown in the Greater Accra and Kumasi areas, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said workers must observe precautionary measures encouraged by the World Health Organization (WHO), particularly observing social distancing and the wearing of nose masks.

But the GFL Boss says the post lockdown survival of businesses is very crucial to containing the virus across the country.

“We are told by the president to observe social distancing in our work places, but if it’s anything to go by, it will affect productivity, ” Mr Koomson told host Kwame Minkah.

He further argued that, ” factory workers have to reduce their working staff to be able to observe social distancing and this will affect other employees who won’t be needed immediately as we battle the COVID-19.”

Mr Koomson also observed that workers, who have no idea when the virus will be contained, need to be protected as well as their earnings.

“Workers are very worried and don’t know what lies ahead of them in terms of job security. The Government should not avoid the stimulus package it talked about to keep businesses afloat, although the lockdown has been lifted,” he added.

Mr Koomson also urged the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to fairly represent the concerns of all Ghanaian workers whenever it’s leadership meet President Akufo-Addo on how to sustain the country’s businesses in the wake of the Coronavirus.

He said the Government ought to listen to some workers unions such as the Ghana Employers Association (GEA) and the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) since they have genuine concerns on how their members can preserve jobs as the country combats the deadly virus.