After more than two decades in operation, Ghana’s Labour Act — Act 651 of 2003 — is undergoing a major review. Stakeholders say the law has become outdated and no longer meets the needs of today’s workforce.
Speaking exclusively to Labour Affairs Correspondent Daniel Opoku in Accra on May 5, leaders of Organised Labour argued that the original Act was skewed in favour of employers, often at the expense of workers’ rights and welfare.
Now, government, labour, and employers are working together to revise the law in line with current global labour standards and emerging workplace challenges.
Key Gaps in Current Labour Law
Some of the major gaps identified in the existing Labour Act include:
- No mention of labour migration
- Exclusion of national policy proposals like the 24-hour economy
- Limited provisions for worker welfare and safety
- No recognition of the digital economy and modern job creation efforts
Employers Propose Strike Moratorium, Labour Pushes Back
As part of the review process, employers have suggested introducing a moratorium on strikes. However, Organised Labour has flatly rejected this proposal, insisting that the right to strike is non-negotiable.
Labour Minister Insists 24-Hour Economy Must Be Included
Minister of Labour, Jobs, and Employment, Dr. Rashid Pelpuo, stated that the revised Labour Act will promote a more harmonious work environment while incorporating policies like the 24-hour economy.
“There is a policy direction and a government commitment to supporting the Act. Nobody is going to be cheated. Many more people are going to be engaged working,” Dr. Pelpuo said.
He emphasized that the present policy on labour, including the 24-hour economy and labour migration issues, must be reconsidered to increase worker protection and comfort.
Organised Labour Proposes Shift System Instead
The Executive Secretary of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association (CLOGSAG), Isaac Bampoe Addo, however, proposed an alternative — the incorporation of a shift system instead of embedding the 24-hour economy policy into the Labour Act.
“The 24-hour economy is all about shift system. If we want to have more provisions on the shift system, which is already in the Labour Act, we can. But to put 24-hour economy in the Labour Act, I don’t think is in the right direction,” he stressed.
Call for Labour to Form a Political Party
Mr. Bampoe Addo further called for Organised Labour to consider forming its own political party.
“Restructuring Organised Labour is the first step. The second step is that there is nowhere where there is any provision that can disallow Organised Labour from forming a political party. Labour is the lifeblood of any country. This is the time for Organised Labour to form a political party to address all the issues that are happening. Labour is the right people that can move this country forward,” he declared.
Final Draft to Be Laid Before Parliament
The final draft of the revised Labour Act is expected to be laid before Parliament later this year as consultations continue between government, employers, and Organised Labour.