‘Workers’ rights are being stripped before our eyes’ – Minority demands action on May Day
As workers across Ghana mark May Day, the Minority Caucus Committee on Employment, Labour Relations and Pensions has issued a strongly worded statement condemning the current government’s labour policies, accusing it of undermining workers’ rights and eroding job security.
The Ranking Member of the Committee, Mavis Nkansah-Boadu, led the charge, stating that while May Day is meant to honour the contributions of Ghanaian workers, this year’s celebrations have been overshadowed by what she calls an “onslaught against decent jobs” under President John Dramani Mahama’s administration.
“Workers’ Rights Are Being Stripped Away”
“Today, unfortunately, the progress we have made as a nation is being undermined by the current administration’s mass termination of appointments,” Nkansah-Boadu said in the statement.
“Workers’ rights are being stripped away before our eyes.”
She further alleged that the government has sought to silence organised labour by appointing leaders of some unions into executive positions, effectively compromising their independence.
“CSOs and labour unions are not protesting because some leaders of these unions have been appointed into the executive arm of government,” she claimed.
Minimum Wage Increase Slammed as Betrayal
Nkansah-Boadu also criticised the government over the recent minimum wage increase, describing it as a betrayal of the extensive consultations that preceded it.
“The increase in the minimum wage has unsurprisingly fallen far short of expectations since the government purposely ambushed negotiations,” she charged.
Call for Workers to Resist
Aligning with the International Trade Union Confederation’s 2025 theme, the Minority Caucus urged workers and unions to break their silence and join forces in defending labour rights.
“Let the spirit of solidarity resonate throughout our communities today. We urge all workers and unions to share our fight and spread our message to protect decent jobs and the dignity of workers.”
Nkansah-Boadu closed her May Day message with a defiant call for resistance:
“It is imperative that the government charts a different path from what is being witnessed. It is also important for us to stand up and resist the Mahama-led administration’s attacks on Ghanaian workers.”
Despite her criticism, she ended on a note of appreciation:
“Ayekoo to all workers, but the fight for justice is far from over.”
As May Day celebrations continue, the Minority’s message adds tension to the national conversation about jobs, wages, and labour rights in Ghana today.
