National Labour Commission threatens to sue Youth Employment Agency

The National Labour Commission (NLC) is threatening to sue the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), formerly the Ghana Youth Entrepreneurial Development Authority (GYEEDA) over its failure to pay some 10 dismissed staff compensation due them.

The NLC has written to the Attorney General serving notice of its intention to sue the YEA.

The notice is in accordance with the State Proceedings Act which enjoins any state institution suing another to give the Attorney General one month’s notice.

A letter from the Executive Secretary of the NLC, Dr. Bernice Welbeck, to the Attorney General (AG) dated January 26, 2016, said, “the commission intends to bring an action against the YEA based on an agreement signed by the parties dated August 7, 2015.’”

Soon after Kobby Achempong took over the running of GYEEDA from the Abuga Pele administration in 2012, the contracts of several workers were terminated.

They were accused of not using the right procedure in securing their jobs.

Some of the dismissed staff, numbering 10 fought back, by dragging GYEEDA to the NLC.

Lawyers for GYEEDA indicated they will want to settle the issue, and an agreement was reached that the dismissed staff will be paid their compensation.

A copy of the agreement cited by Joy News and dated August 7, 2015, said, “GYEEDA will pay the aggrieved staff an amount of four hundred and fifty five thousand, three hundred and sixty four Ghana cedis (455,364 cedis).”

In addition, GYEEDA is to pay the workers an interest of 20 percent on the amount from November 2012 until date of final payment.

The NLC adopted the agreement as consent judgment. A cheque covering the amount was supposed to have been deposited at the NLC by August 10, 2015, but GYEEDA has not paid the money since.

Following repeated reminders from lawyers of the aggrieved staff to the NLC to act and enforce its judgment, the commission has finally decided to go to court to enforce it.

Joy News understands the AG in response to the letter from the Executive Secretary of the NLC last month which was also copied to the Minister for Employment and Labour Relations has given commission the all clear to sue YEA. Following the expiration of the one month notice, the suit by the NLC is expected to be filed this week.