Flawed Industrial Relations

The strike action by 12 workers' unions in the country aggravates what is already a bad story. Pupils in public schools are having an indefinite holiday.

Many of them can be seen roaming aimlessly in the streets, especially in areas like Nima in Accra and other places. Their parents would rather they are out of the homes scampering about on school compounds than stay at home idling. Many of them are however, not on their school compounds.

The shortcoming here is that they risk their lives crossing nearby busy roads in search of nothing but adventure. It is certain that they are oblivious of the enormity of the problem which has constrained their teachers to down their chalk.

With a solution nowhere in sight, we appear to be heading for a long haul. The flawed industrial relation procedures being exhibited by government appointees are not helping matters.

We are pained that government has failed in its management of issues, the repercussions of which continue to present it (government) in bad light. Mistrust continues to mar the relationship between government and its various publics, notably workers in the public sector.

So horrible is the level of mistrust that it has given a worrying leverage for the spawning of rumours. Latest in a litany of rumours is the one suggesting that the accumulated pension funds of workers were used to purchase a financial institution.

This is an allegation which government should without delay address convincingly. Should it fail to do so – which we think will be the case – it would provide more oxygen for the multiplication of an assortment of rumours, some of which we are beginning to believe have basis.

Otherwise why would the question as to what the state of the workers' pension in the custody of the Bank of Ghana still be an issue confined to the wraps?

The socio-economic cost of the strike action, which we have learnt is indefinite, can only be imagined. Government must revise its notes about the way it handles workers' concerns. The glaring disconcerted approach does not help matters, especially when government is not known to be sincere in its dealings.

It is regrettable that the sector Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, has incurred the wrath of the leadership of the workers. He deserves what he is getting by way of the umbrage of the workers. His open disrespect for the workers was unnecessary.

Let both parties compromise here and there so that an amicable resolution of the dispute can be achieved. No such resolution can be achieved though until the workers are convinced about the fate of their pension funds.

Next time the need for government out of desperation, to dip its hands into any kitty arises, it should look elsewhere not the pension funds.