ActionAid Ghana’s Northern Regional Programme Office has engaged operators of informal sector businesses on labour rights, gender equality and decent working conditions.
The engagement, organised in collaboration with the Departments of Labour and Gender and the National Youth Authority (NYA), brought together representatives of 30 informal businesses, including hotels, restaurants, private schools and drinking spots.
It sought to raise awareness of labour rights and responsibilities, promote gender equality and encourage compliance with Ghana’s labour laws to create more equitable and decent workplaces.
Madam Alia Mumuni, Programme Officer at ActionAid Ghana, said the engagement formed part of the organisation’s efforts to empower women and young people, many of whom worked in the informal sector.
She stressed the importance of regular engagement between employers and employees on their respective rights and responsibilities to promote fairness and harmonious working relationships.
Madam Mumuni said increased awareness of labour rights would enable both employers and workers to understand their obligations and contribute to productive and respectful workplaces.
Workers’ Rights Under Labour Laws
Mr Mustapha Alhassan, Acting Northern Regional Labour Officer, said Ghana’s labour laws guaranteed workers several rights, including safe, satisfactory and healthy working conditions.
He said workers were also entitled to equal pay for equal work, rest and leisure, reasonable working hours, paid annual leave and remuneration for public holidays.
Workers, he added, had the right to form or join trade unions, receive training, develop their skills and obtain information relevant to their work.
Mr Alhassan said awareness of those rights was particularly important in the informal sector, where many workers might not have adequate knowledge of the legal protections available to them.
Employers Urged To Respect Maternity Rights
Mr Alhassan also highlighted legal protections for women workers, saying women were entitled to at least 12 weeks of maternity leave.
He explained that maternity leave was separate from applicable annual leave and that workers on maternity leave were entitled to full remuneration and other employment benefits.
He said the protection was also supported by Article 27 of the 1992 Constitution, which required special care for mothers for a reasonable period before and after childbirth and provided for paid leave for working mothers during those periods.
He urged employers to respect maternity rights and create workplaces that enabled women to participate fully in economic activities without discrimination or unfair treatment on the basis of pregnancy or childbirth.
Employers Also Have Rights
Mr Alhassan stressed that labour rights were not exclusively about workers, noting that employers also had rights and responsibilities under the Labour Act.
He said employers had the right to employ, discipline, transfer, promote and terminate workers in accordance with the law.
He therefore urged both employers and workers to understand and exercise their respective rights responsibly to minimise workplace disputes.
Mr Amankona Ampofo, Northern Regional Director of the NYA, represented at the event, reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to the development and empowerment of young people.
He urged the youth to abide by the law and take advantage of interventions provided by the Government and civil society organisations to build their capacities and become responsible citizens.
He said equipping young people with relevant knowledge and skills would enhance their ability to contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s economic and social development.
