We are ready to work with NPP government – TUC
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) says it is ready to work with the new administration to ensure that the economy continues on a path of growth.
Advertisement
“We will work together to ensure that the most vulnerable groups in society and on the labour market are well protected, including people with disability, domestic workers, informal economy workers, women and young workers,” it said.
In a statement signed and issued by its Secretary General, Dr Yaw Baah, yesterday, the TUC congratulated Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the President-elect, and the NPP on their electoral victory.
Areas
Outlining some areas of focus to ensure the protection of vulnerable groups, the secretary general listed the implementation of legislation relating to disability and social protection schemes for informal retirees and young workers.
He said during the negotiation of the minimum wage in September this year, the tripartite committee negotiated an assistance allowance for people who aided persons living with disabilities.
The allowance was pegged at the National Daily Minimum Wage (NDMW) of GH¢8.80.
Dr Baah expressed the expectation that other disability laws would be implemented.
He also said incentives for the private sector when it employed persons living with disabilities had to be implemented.
Touching on the informal sector, he noted that many in that sector laboured for years but had no retirement package in the twilight of their lives.
He said within the three-tier pension scheme policy, interesting packages had to be developed for such retirees to access, including farmers, traders and domestic workers.
For the youth, Dr Baah said issues such as fraudulent employment scams were critical matters to be tackled to insulate them against paying money to organisations in the hope of finding employment but ending up being duped.
“In his meeting with organised labour before the elections, President-elect Nana Akufo-Addo promised to hold interactions with us consistently and we hope to discuss these issues to ensure the protection of workers,” he said.
President Mahama
The TUC also congratulated President John Mahama on his timely concession of defeat, saying that “you have demonstrated that you're truly a man of peace”.
“We noted that in your concession speech you acknowledged the contribution of organised labour to the development of Ghana during your administration. We appreciate that very much.
“We can assure you that we will work with the new administration to build on what we achieved together, especially in the implementation of the single spine pay policy and the three-tier pension system. We wish you very well in all your future endeavours,” it said.
‘Well done’
The TUC further congratulated the commissioners and workers of the Electoral Commission (EC), the National Peace Council, the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), the Civic Forum Initiative (CFI), the Institute of Democratic Governance (IDEG), the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) and foreign observers who contributed to very successful elections and peace and stability in Ghana.
While congratulating the people of Ghana on a successful general election, the TUC thanked all the security agencies for ensuring peace in Ghana before, during and after the elections.
“They have made us proud as workers. All the security agencies deserve to be rewarded handsomely for their commitment and dedication to duty. We believe that together we can push Ghana forward in a positive direction,” it said.