The Trades Union Congress (TUC) is urging government, employers, and labour unions to take decisive action to improve the working conditions and protection of women across Ghana’s workforce.
At the forefront of the call is a renewed appeal for the government to urgently ratify International Labour Organization Convention 190, which seeks to eliminate violence and harassment in the world of work. The labour body says the move will provide stronger protections for women who continue to face abuse and intimidation in some workplaces.
The TUC is also pushing government to fast-track the ratification of ILO Convention 183 on maternity protection, which guarantees at least 14 weeks of maternity leave in line with international labour standards. According to the union, stronger maternity protections are essential to supporting working mothers while safeguarding their health and that of their children.
Beyond policy commitments, the TUC is calling for stronger labour inspection and enforcement systems to ensure that existing laws promoting gender equality are fully implemented across workplaces in the country.
The organisation is also urging employers to invest more deliberately in women workers by adopting gender-responsive and family-friendly workplace policies. Such measures, the TUC says, will not only promote fairness but also improve productivity and long-term business sustainability.
Trade unions themselves are being challenged to lead by example by increasing women’s representation in leadership positions, promoting gender-responsive collective bargaining, and supporting young women unionists through mentorship and training.
The calls were made as the Trades Union Congress joined the global community to mark International Women’s Day, observed annually on March 8.
In a statement signed by Secretary-General Joshua Ansah, the TUC described the occasion as not only a time for celebration but also a moment to renew commitments toward justice, equality, and the empowerment of women and girls.
The union praised the resilience and contributions of working women across the country, noting that women continue to play vital roles across sectors — from agriculture and industry to education, healthcare, and public service.
“From factory floors to boardrooms, from farms to markets, from classrooms and hospitals to the corridors of power, women remain the backbone of our nation’s progress and development,” the statement said.
Under this year’s theme, “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls: The Role of Trade Unions,” the labour movement stressed that gender equality must move beyond slogans to concrete action.
While commending government for the passage of the Affirmative Action Act, 2024, the TUC emphasized that real progress will depend on sustained political will and effective implementation of policies that translate into meaningful improvements in the lives of women.
The Congress concluded by reminding the nation that women’s issues are national issues, stressing that when women thrive, Ghana as a whole prospers. It also reaffirmed its commitment to advancing workers’ rights and ensuring safer, more equitable workplaces for women across the country.
