Ho, May 01, GNA - Mr Joseph Kwaku Nayan, the Deputy Volta Regional Minister, on May Day slammed workers' groups who denigrate the Labour Commission by refusing to abide by its rulings.

He told a durbar of workers belonging to the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) who converged in Ho to mark May Day that the law was a panacea to Ghana's labour problems and must be appreciated by all.

"You must accept, respect and apply the new law to ensure industrial harmony in work places and regard it as the Labour Bible," Mr Nayan said.

ICU opted out of the Ghana Trades Union Council (TUC) in 2003 and has since organized its May Day separately.

Its members in the Volta Region who attended the durbar were from the GRATIS Foundation, Ghana Hairdressers and Beauticians Association (GHABA), SSNIT, Diamond Cement Ghana Limited (DCGL), Produce Buying Company (PBC), some banks including rural banks among others. Mr Prince Ahiadzro, an hotelier who chaired the function, called on the government to stop the inflow of cheap imported and smuggled goods into the Ghanaian market.

He also urged the government to take the interest of workers into account when designing national economic and investment policies for the nation to continue to enjoy industrial harmony and productivity. Mr Wisdom Akompi, the Chief Human Resource Clerk of the PBC, was honoured for his contribution to labour in the region. For the first time members from the informal sector were awarded for their commitment and dedication to labour issues. They are Madam Sherry Agyeman, Volta Regional President of GHABA, Angela Ayivor, a Zonal Leader of GHABA and Emelia Akligo GHABA Welfare Officer. 01 May 06