The Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union Ghana has called for a renewed commitment from stakeholders to end the menace of precarious work.
The Union was of the view that tackling the issue would help liberate the working masses who are in substandard employment servitude with poor pay, insecurity and no protection, impacting on their quality of life.
Mr Morgan Ayawine, the General Secretary of the Union, made the call in a statement to mark this year’s Precarious Work Day, which falls on October 7.
Since 2008, when the World Day for Decent Work was instituted and marked annually on the day, with millions stepping up actions for the promotion of decent work across the globe.
Mr Ayawine called for sustained action and sensitisation on the right of contract and casual workers to form or join a union.
The statement urged transnational and multinational companies to have a rethink and not only focus on their profit maximisation at the expense of the workers.
“The Union acknowledges that the companies invest in countries around the globe for profits, but they should desist from employment contracts which undermine decent work,” it said.
It called on political authorities to be firm and deal ruthlessly with companies undermining decent work.
This calls for stronger legislation and enforcement of the same without fear or panic at all times.
The statement called on the political authorities to prioritise policies and programmes for the promotion of decent work.
This is important for the working people of the world to work in dignity and enjoy the fruits of their labour, and after retirement.
The statement said precarious work reflected in substandard employment like outsourcing (contract/casual) work, as well as fixed-term contracts, has become a common feature in the work environment, especially in the transnational and multinational companies.
“It is an injustice of the highest order to see young citizens working as casuals for more than five years, with no hope of permanency to enjoy the benefits of decent work,” it said.
The Union said even though it welcomed investment and job creation opportunities by the transnational and multinational companies, it would not countenance any form of employment that would shortchange workers.
The statement expressed worry about situations where permanent job opportunities were being converted to either contract, casual or fixed-term contracts.
“Instances abound in most of the transnational and multinational companies in Ghana where the precarious (casual/contract) workers far outnumber the regular workers, yet they do the same type of work and work the same number of hours as regular/permanent workers,” it added.
Source: GNA
Source: ghanabusinessnews.com
