General Construction Industry of TUC Ghana pledges to pursue, organise and negotiate better condition of service for workers

 

Mrs Comfort Akolbila Agambaa, General Secretary of GCMQWU of TUC-Ghana

The General Secretary of the General Construction and Manufacturing, and Quarries Workers Union of TUC-Ghana (GCMQWU) Mrs Comfort Akolbila Agambaa has urged members of the trade union to be rest assured that they will not relent in the provision of good services and support to members, and improve their condition of services to mother Ghana.

According to her the trade union understands the pain workers are facing in the current global economic crisis which Ghana is not exempted and the General Construction Industry of TUC Ghana is working tirelessly with government and the required agencies to make sure that workers trade are protected and the unpaid projects certificates are paid to continue stuck ones.

“Non-payment of certificates of awarded contracts to contractors has affected their work and labour because no funds means that contractors should not pay their workers and continue working projects, therefore some projects have been halted and workers laid off which is worrying”.

“We know the workers economy is not resilient nowadays but the trade union is doing its best to make sure that we continue to pursue, organise and negotiate better working condition of services for our workers”, she said.

“We will not stop every good initiative for the General Construction, Manufacturing and Quarry Workers Union until we see that our good is better and best for the industry”, she added.

Mrs Agambaa disclosure this in an interview with IG-TECH MEDIA NETWORK at her office as Ghana marks the “Workers Memorial Day”.

She also revealed that there are some uncertainties in the operations of some the workers and foreign nationals who have come to make investment in Ghana in the construction, manufacturing and quarry industry and advise them to change their attitudes and working manners to redeem the image of the industry.

“We know that some employers are difficult to deal with, they are not ready to respect the rules and regulations that has been given them. We will ensure that the labor law is enforced and the right institutions deal with those who seek to abuse the laid down procedures”, Mr Agambaa said.

The General Secretary further highlighted that everything investors in the industry does has effect to the environment and people, therefore both local and foreign nationals should comply with the association’s laws because Ghana first.

“We are battling with climate change and heat, diseases are everywhere so those violating our environmental laws must take caution. We’ll not relent, we will go after them and make sure that they abide by the laws of Ghana”, she said.

“We have the label institutions and some of these foreign national and workers have already been taken to there and dealing with their issues, and that is not the end, we’ll continue to push for sanity in the industry and the environment”, Mrs Comfort said.

She added that as we celebrate the Workers Memorial Day, employers, workers and foreign investors should change their attitude at the work place follow the laws governing the trade union which the association will not allow anyone overlook them.

Again, she counted the risk workers go through at the work sites. She said some employers do not provide Personal Preventive Equipment (PPEs) to workers and some do not pay proper wages to workers.

“We employers to respect and adhere to the health and safety measures at work for workers and the work. The labour law section 118 gives the mandate to every employer the responsibility to provide PPEs to workers and make sure that you maintain them”, Mrs Comfort said.

According to the General Secretary, some workers too are afraid to report incidents that happen to them at the work side for the fear they will lose their job since getting job nowadays is scarce.

“There are most workers who are injured in the discharge of their duties but are afraid to report to us or the labour union. Some employers don’t even compensate the victims. Some too will only go to and meet with the family of the victim and give them token to close the case which is a bad attitude.”

“We’re trade unionist and we are there to serve the workers interest so report the dangers you face at work with us and we shall follow up the issue and bring those cooperates into book”, she said.

Mrs Comfort Agambaa also charged women to join the association because the industry is open to everyone and use herself as example in the seat she occupies.

“Women are thriving in the construction and the manufacturing industry. We have more than 22 women in the industry who does different works some are into truck driving, masonry, carpenters, and engineers among others. You can join any of the associations of your choice but be recognized wherever you are of what you do and be proud of what you do as a woman.”

“The General Construction industry door is open to anyone who wants to work with us and we are ready to help you”, she advised.

“I also want to use this opportunity to caution employers and investors to abide by the laws of Ghana and desist from any attitudes that is not accepted in the organisation, especially those using illegal means for operation because we will come for inspection in your various institutions, one after the other and examine your safety measures for workers and the work.”

“The necessary things the trade union requires of you to make sure that lives are protected and comply with the rules and regulations”.

She further entreated all members of the association to conduct themselves well in this year’s election and refrain from anything that will lead to confusion and disruptions against each other for a better Ghana and national development.

 

By Ignatius Awuah Tanoe Blay

IG-TECH MEDIA NETWORK

Accra.