On Sunday April 21, 2024, Keminni Amanor hosted the Executive Secretary of the National Labour Commission (NLC).
Their conversation touched on mandate of the Commission, agitations by labour unions and the role of politics in their operations.
Here are 5 Hot Issues that emerged from the show:
- Strikes can’t be declared through press conferences, that’s illegal – NLC Boss
Declaring strikes through press conferences is illegal, the Executive Secretary of the National Labour Commission (NLC), Ofosu Asamoah, has said.
He explained that the law mandates the unions to write to their employers and give notice to the NLC for a period of not less than seven days.
Speaking with TV3’s Keminni Amanor he said “The law does not provide for strikes to be declared through press conferences.
“Strikes are legal but the law says you have to write to your employer and give notice to the NLC for a period of not less than seven days.”
During the interview, Mr Ofosu Asamoah also observed that the level of mistrust between labour unions and the government is very high.
This, he said, results in the industrial actions taken by the unions despite assurances from the government to work on their demands.
When it comes to the NLC, he indicated, the Commission cannot be biased against any of the parties, either the government or the unions.
“There is a high level of mistrust between Labour Unions and government. The composition of the NLC makes it nearly impossible to be biased towards any party,” he said.
2. There’s a high level of mistrust between labour unions and gov’t – NLC Boss
Executive Secretary of the National Labour Commission (NLC), Mr Ofosu Asamoah, has observed that the level of mistrust between labour unions and the government is very high.
This, he said, results in the industrial actions taken by the unions despite assurances from the government to work on their demands.
When it comes to the NLC, he indicated, the Commission cannot be biased against any of the parties, either the government or the unions.
“There is a high level of mistrust between Labour Unions and government. The composition of the NLC makes it nearly impossible to be biased towards any party,” he said.
3. Tier two pension arrears
The Executive Secretary told Keminni that “Organised Labour will not be stopped from going on strike due to government’s delay in paying their contributions. It is their right to demand what is due them.”
4. Declaration of Strikes
Touching on the declaration of strikes, Mr Ofosu Asamoah noted that they are legal, “but the law says you have to write to your employer and give notice to the National Labour Commission for a period of not less than seven days.”
5. Operations of National Labour Commission
On the possibility of political interference in its operations, the Executive Secretary of the Commission said, “No Political Party has ever interfered in the work of the National Labour Commission. Politicians don’t bring cases to us, we deal with labour issues.”
https://web.facebook.com/100064554705592/videos/2268465880027419
NB: With additional files from Laud Nartey.