Beyond the broader debate about jobs and economic policy, organised labour used this year’s May Day parade in Koforidua to spotlight a set of long-standing concerns affecting workers across sectors. From pension disparities and labour rights violations to challenges in the cocoa industry, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) outlined issues it says require more urgent and coordinated policy attention.
One of the most prominent concerns is the structure of Ghana’s pension system. Coverage remains limited, with fewer than one in five eligible workers enrolled. Among those receiving pensions, many survive on modest monthly payments, often below GHS500. At the same time, significant disparities exist within the system, with top-tier beneficiaries earning substantially higher amounts.
TUC Secretary General Joshua Ansah described the imbalance as unsustainable, particularly in cases where some public officials retire on full salaries without contributing to the pension scheme. “The situation where some public officials do not contribute to pension but retire on their salaries is no longer tenable,” he said.
Labour continues to advocate for pension unification, arguing that consolidating schemes would improve equity and reduce fiscal pressure. However, recent administrative changes have raised concerns within the union. The reassignment of pensions oversight from the Ministry of Labour to the Ministry of Finance, along with moves to amend the Pensions Act, have proceeded without what the TUC considers adequate stakeholder engagement. The union is calling for broader consultations before further reforms are implemented.
On labour rights, the TUC pointed to what it described as evolving employment practices that weaken worker protections. Ansah highlighted concerns over redundancy processes being used in ways that allow employers to restructure their workforce while reintroducing similar roles through third-party agencies, often under less favourable conditions.
The growing role of employment agencies has also drawn scrutiny. According to organised labour, these arrangements can blur lines of accountability, particularly when disputes arise. In such cases, workers may struggle to determine whether responsibility lies with the agency or the client company. Ansah described the situation as one where workers are left in “legal limbo, uncertainty as to who truly bears legal accountability.”
To address these gaps, the TUC is pushing for amendments to the Labour Act that would strengthen protections, including requiring employers to provide clear reasons for termination.
Concerns were also raised about employment practices within the public sector, particularly around perceived political influence in appointments, promotions, and transfers. The TUC cautioned that such patterns risk undermining institutional integrity. Ansah rejected justifications based on precedent, stating that “the usual excuse that the other party or government did the same is inexcusable anymore,” warning that it places state institutions “on the road to the abyss.”
The situation in the cocoa sector also featured prominently. Labour expressed concern over recent developments, including a reduction in the producer price of cocoa and reports of delays in purchasing harvested beans. For many farming communities, the issue goes beyond pricing, affecting household incomes and local economies. The TUC is urging government intervention to support COCOBOD and buying companies in addressing the backlog.
On environmental issues, organised labour acknowledged government action to revoke L.I. 2462, which had permitted mining in forest reserves. However, it warned that illegal mining activity continues in critical ecosystems, including river bodies. “If we do not stop galamsey, Ghana will not have rivers in the next few years,” Ansah cautioned.
Across these issues, organised labour’s message is consistent: the burden of structural and policy gaps is being felt most acutely by workers. Whether in the form of low pensions, insecure employment, or delayed incomes, the concerns raised reflect broader questions about equity and institutional effectiveness.
The TUC maintains that its demands are not radical but focused on practical reforms, fair wages, stronger labour protections, a more balanced pension system, and inclusive policymaking processes.
