Public sector workers struggling to meet pressing needs – TUC secretary

Mrs Comfort Asomah, Ahafo Regional Secretary of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), has lamented the poor conditions of service of public sector workers, saying many of them are unable to cater for their pressing development needs.

She called on the Government to urgently take steps to improve the welfare and livelihoods of workers, stressing that better remuneration and conditions of service would motivate employees to work harder and enhance productivity.

Mrs Asomah made the call when she addressed a durbar to mark the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo joint Regional May Day celebration at Kintampo in the Bono East Region.

She expressed concern that workers in Ghana remained underpaid, saying: “The Ghanaian worker is always underpaid.”

Mrs Asomah said workers deserved adequate motivation to spur them to higher performance and urged employers, especially the Government, to show greater appreciation for the contribution of workers.

She also called on the Government to remain proactive in addressing the concerns of labour unions, noting that sustained dialogue would help reduce recurring industrial unrest in the country.

Mrs Asomah further urged the Government to remain resolute in the fight against illegal mining, which she said posed a serious threat to environmental sustainability through the destruction of water bodies, forests and vegetation.

She appealed to the Government to increase recruitment quotas in the education and health sectors to absorb more teachers and nurses to help address the growing unemployment situation.

Mr Joseph Addae Akwaboa, Bono Regional Minister, reiterated the Government's commitment to creating an enabling environment for public sector employees to boost productivity.

He said the youth remained the driving force for national development and noted that government flagship programmes were creating job opportunities nationwide.

Madam Charity Gardiner, Ahafo Regional Minister, said significant investment in youth empowerment was critical to nation-building, adding that the Government was implementing initiatives to enable young people contribute meaningfully to accelerated national development.

She urged organised labour to remain committed and to play its part in advancing national progress and sustainable development.

Mr Francis Owusu Antwi, Bono East Regional Minister, commended workers for their invaluable contributions to national development and encouraged them to continue working hard to help turn around the country's economic fortunes.

He said government intervention programmes such as the National Apprenticeship Programme, Feed Ghana Programme and the proposed 24-hour economy policy were aimed at building a prosperous nation.

The event was attended by members of various labour unions, including the Professional and Allied Workers Union, National Association of Graduate Teachers, Ghana National Association of Teachers, Communication Workers Union, Health Accounting Staff Association, Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association, and the Judicial Service Association of Ghana.

GNA