Agitations in labour unions cause for concern – Mahama

President John Mahama says the recent agitations in the labour front has created a cause for concern for “for comrades and partners of organized labour.”

Mr. Mahama’s comments follow an announcement by Workers of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) that it has broken away from its mother union, the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU)

The workers claim that efforts intended to unite both groups over some labour related issues have failed.

Chairman of the Supreme Consultative Council of the COCOBOD, Alhaji Idriss Alhassan said the ICU and the General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) have not protected the welfare of the workers.

But speaking at this year’s May Day Celebration in the Upper West regional capital, Wa President Mahama urged the TUC to resolve the issues between the unions.

“While government cannot interfere in union affairs, as a social democrat and a comrade I cannot help but express my agitation at the recent event unfolding that affects two of our greatest unions, the ICU and GAWU.”

He said although the Constitution guarantees freedom of association, such agitations reduces the bargaining power of the unions.

“It is my hope that the TUC working with her other tripartite partners can bring an amicable solution to this current dispute,” he added.