The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has called for an urgent review of Ghana’s Labour Act to strengthen workers’ rights and address growing concerns over low wages, inadequate pension benefits, rising living costs and insecure employment.
TUC Secretary-General, Joshua Ansah, made the call while addressing the press on Thursday, September 10.
He said low wages remain one of the biggest challenges facing workers, as many households struggle to keep up with the rising cost of food, rent, transport, utilities, education and healthcare.
“Low pay is one of the most urgent concerns confronting workers,” Mr Ansah said.
He also raised concerns about pension benefits, noting that many retirees receive payments that are insufficient to meet their basic needs, particularly the cost of medical care.
“A pension should protect dignity in old age. Yet, many retirees receive benefits that are too low to meet basic needs, particularly medical care,” he said.
According to Mr Ansah, the rising cost of living is further reducing the real value of pensions. He added that pension growth for workers in the informal economy remains too low to provide adequate protection in retirement.
The TUC Secretary-General also expressed concern about workers who perform permanent and essential duties but are employed under what he described as “so-called short-term contracts.”
He said some workers are engaged through labour contractors or other arrangements that deny them equal treatment, job security, social security benefits and access to trade unions.
“The law should look at the reality of their employment relationship, not merely the level placed on their contract,” he said.
The TUC supports a review of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), arguing that Ghana needs a modern labour law that reflects changing forms of employment, strengthens labour institutions and promotes decent work.
The Congress is therefore calling for an urgent and comprehensive review of the country’s labour laws to ensure stronger protection for workers, address emerging forms of employment, improve social protection and promote decent working conditions.
